‘Easy access to healthcare services with an exciting tourist experience’

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities oversees the development of therapeutic tourism and should combine easy access to healthcare services with an exciting tourist experience.

This statement by Vice-Minister for Tourism and Antiquities Ghada Shalaby came during her address at the international health tourism conference in Cairo on 2-3 March.

The conference, opened by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, was a platform to discuss and promote health tourism in Egypt.

In 2023 the medical tourism industry worldwide was worth $919 billion, and that is expected to increase tenfold in the next five years, Shalaby said.

The ministry has focused on cultural, adventure, beach and family tourism, which have experienced significant growth. Despite political events in the region, Egypt’s tourism industry has reached its targets and attracted 14.9 million tourists, Shalaby added.

The ministry is working with the United Nations to advance medical tourism offerings and position Egypt as a top destination, she said.

Egyptian Healthcare Authority (EHA) president Dr Ahmed el-Sobky believes Egypt has the potential to become a leading destination for medical tourism in Africa and the Middle East.

Egypt has the infrastructure, medical professionals and internationally accredited healthcare facilities to compete globally, el-Sobky said.

Medical tourism has a market value of $15 billion per year and is growing 12.5 per cent a year and is predicted to reach $346 billion annually by 2030, el-Sobky added.

The conference was an opportunity to expand partnerships and international agreements in medical tourism, he said, adding that the government can work with the private sector and civil society towards a sustainable transformation and development in healthcare and medical tourism in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030.

Egyptian Drug Authority chief Ali el-Ghamrawy said that Egyptian medicine is of high quality and meets international standards.

Egypt has the resources to produce and export hospital treatment products since the authority is responsible for licensing, registration, distribution and control, with focus on safety, el-Ghamrawy said.

It is therefore important to offer medicine at affordable prices without compromising quality as this will attract tourists, el-Ghamrawy added.

The government has plans for e-platforms and aims to obtain at least a 10 per cent market share of global medical tourism, he said.

The conference highlighted those locations in Egypt that offer healing and therapeutic services. Aswan and Siwa are known for the healing properties of their warm sands. New Valley is famous for hot sulfur springs and medicinal herbs. Water treatments are available at Safaga and Helwan.

The Bath of Moses and Pharaoh’s Bath Cave provide natural sauna treatments.

St. Catherine is rich in plants for treating chest diseases. Sharm el-Sheikh has exceptional health centres and is renowned as a safe tourist destination.