Health tourism in Turkey continues to grow rapidly, with both patient numbers and revenue seeing significant increases. Here’s a closer look at the latest developments, based on the Turkish Ministry of Trade’s 2024 data.
Strong Growth in Medical Tourism
According to data from the Turkish Ministry of Trade for 2024, Turkey’s health service exports have reached 3 billion dollars. This impressive figure comes from the 1.5 million foreign patients who travelled to Turkey last year for medical treatment.
When we look at the broader picture, between 2012 and 2024, the number of health tourists coming to Turkey has increased sixfold. In the same period, revenue from health tourism has grown four times. This clearly indicates that Turkey is becoming a more prominent destination in the global health tourism market.
Why Turkey Attracts Health Tourists
The Ministry highlights two key reasons behind this growth: the global demand for affordable yet high-quality medical services, and Turkey’s ability to meet this demand efficiently. With investments in modern healthcare infrastructure and skilled professionals, Turkey has positioned itself as a strong competitor in the international market.
Efforts are also being made to strengthen Turkey’s image as a go-to destination for healthcare. These include marketing campaigns, partnerships with international healthcare brands, and promotional platforms.
“Heal in Türkiye” Platform Expands
One of the key tools supporting this growth is the “Heal in Türkiye” web portal, created with support from the General Directorate of Service Exports under the Ministry. As of now, 201 healthcare institutions are listed on the platform, which serves as a central hub for international patients seeking treatment in Turkey.
Increased Government Support for Promotion
There’s more good news for organisations in the sector. Starting June 1, 2025, the government will increase its support for promotional activities related to health tourism.
For example, promotional efforts targeting non-priority countries will now receive 70% government support, up from 60%. For activities directed at priority target countries, support will rise from 70% to 80%. These changes are expected to encourage even more aggressive marketing and outreach from Turkish health institutions.
Long-Term Support and Projects
From 2012 to 2024, a total of 1,701 firms have benefited from the Ministry’s health tourism support programs. In addition, 15 firms from the health tourism sector are currently being supported under the prestigious TURQUALITY program. Meanwhile, five separate projects are ongoing under the HİSER initiative, which aims to enhance the international competitiveness of service providers.
With strong government backing, a growing reputation for quality, and increasing international interest, Turkey’s health tourism sector seems well on its way to becoming a global leader.
