History of Medical Tourism

The concept of medical tourism is not a new one. The first recorded instance of medical tourism dates back thousands of years to when Greek pilgrims traveled from all over the Mediterranean to the small territory in the Saronic Gulf called Epidauria. This territory was the sanctuary of the healing god Asklepios. Epidauria became the original travel destination for medical tourism.

Thousands of years ago, Greek pilgrims used to travel from all over the Mediterranean to a small territory in the Saronic Gulf called Epidauria. This probably records the first instance of medical tourism. The Spa towns of the early days can also be considered an early form of medical tourism. Hence, it can be stated that though the concept of medical tourism has gained popularity in recent times, its element existed even in the distant past.

Health tourism has long existed, but it was not until the eighteenth century that it became important. In England, it was associated with spas, places with supposedly health-giving mineral waters, treating diseases from gout to liver disorders and bronchitis. The most popular resorts were Bath, Cheltenham, Buxton, Harrogate, and Tunbridge Wells. Visits to take 'the waters' also allowed the visitors to attend balls and other entertainments. Continental Spas such as Carlsbad (Karlovy Vary) attracted many fashionable travellers by the nineteenth century.

Above all, medical tourism dates back to thousands of years in history. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In Roman Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at Bath, a practice that continued for 2,000 years. In 18th century wealthy Europeans traveled to spas from Germany to the Nile. Now in the 21st century, relatively low-cost jet travel has taken the industry beyond the wealthy and desperate.