Market Trends of Turkey Medical Tourism Industry
The Cosmetic Treatment Segment is Expected to Hold a Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period
Patients' preference to travel abroad for cosmetic surgeries is increasing, mainly driven by factors like avoiding long waiting lists, navigating cost constraints, and meeting legal requirements absent in their home countries. Turkey, in particular, has established a reputation, earning accolades for its top-tier cosmetic services offered at competitive rates.
The cosmetic surgery segment is expected to witness significant growth in the medical tourism market in Turkey owing to factors such as the increasing number of cosmetic procedures performed in the country, coupled with the influx of medical tourists and proactive government initiatives.
Rising self-awareness regarding aesthetic appeal and escalating demand for cosmetic procedures are propelling the growth of the Turkish cosmetic medical tourism market. Many individuals are seeking these procedures abroad, primarily due to the prohibitive costs in their home countries. For instance, data from the Turkey Medical Tourism Stats 2023 report highlighted that cosmetic surgeries were among the treatment types preferred by medical tourists who visited Turkey for treatment in 2023. It further mentioned that around 15.57% of medical tourists came in for cosmetic surgeries in Turkey in 2023.
Furthermore, about 43.94% of cosmetic surgeries in Turkey in 2023 were centered on facial and head enhancements, underscoring a strong inclination toward facial rejuvenation. Furthermore, surgeries focused on the body and extremities made up 30.05% of the total, signaling a rising interest in body sculpting and contouring. Furthermore, breast surgeries, accounting for 26.01%, highlight the sustained popularity of breast aesthetic enhancements in Turkey. These statistics not only showcase Turkey's prominence in the cosmetic surgery domain but also indicate a surge in medical tourist visits, which is expected to fuel the growth of the Turkish medical tourism market in the coming years.
As a result, the surge in cosmetic surgeries and procedures plays a pivotal role in propelling the Turkish medical tourism market, drawing in international patients in search of both cost-effective and high-quality treatments. Furthermore, Turkey's well-established reputation in the cosmetic arena fosters trust, further enticing medical tourists to select it as their preferred destination for such procedures.
The Oncology Treatment Segment is Expected to Witness Significant Growth Over the Forecast Period
The oncology segment is anticipated to grow over the forecast period owing to factors such as the high burden of cancer cases worldwide, coupled with the high cost of cancer treatment in developed countries, the rising initiatives by the Turkish government to boost cancer care diagnosis and treatment services, and launches of cancer centers in the country.
As cancer cases rise globally, the demand for effective and affordable treatments surges, positioning Turkey as a prime destination for medical tourism. For instance, according to 2024 data from the Medical Tourism Corporation, Turkey ranks among the top countries for overseas cancer treatments. In Turkey, cancer treatment costs are between USD 7,000 and USD 11,000, which is a significant contrast to the United States, where expenses can exceed USD 100,000. Given the variability in treatment costs based on cancer type, Turkey's affordability becomes evident. This cost-effectiveness is set to further propel the Turkish medical tourism market in the coming years.
Research institutes are focusing on adopting various key strategies such as acquisitions, collaborations, facility expansions, and other activities to accelerate the development of oncology drugs and other medical devices used for treating various kinds of cancers. For instance, in April 2023, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBITAK) and Marmara Research Center (MAM) launched the Medical Biotechnology Research Center (MEDIBIYO) in the country to produce biotechnological medications and vaccines on a pilot scale, as well as drugs to combat cancer. The center is conducting studies on the development of theranostics molecules for the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors, as well as the development of a CAR-T cell therapy system targeted at CD19, among others. Consequently, Turkey's advancements in novel cancer treatments and technologies are drawing international patients, suggesting robust segmental growth over the coming years.
Therefore, owing to the low cost of cancer treatment in Turkey compared to other developed nations and the rising focus of research institutes to develop novel drugs and other diagnostic methods for cancer, the segment studied is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period.
