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Journal of Tourism & Hospitality

Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

ISSN: 2167-0269

+44 1300 500008

Abstract

U.S. Domestic Medical Tourism Delivers Sustainable Tourism for America ’ s Cities and States

Laura Carabello

While international medical tourism has dominated the discussion and media coverage of the fast-growth medical travel industry, the emergence of US Domestic Medical Tourism and its role in advancing sustainable tourism is now generating significant attention. The phenomenon of this new trend in medical travel -- inter-state to Centers of Excellence (COEs) throughout the country and inbound to the U.S. ? is largely the result of the impact of U.S. health reforms, employer receptivity to introducing a medical travel benefit, consumer willingness to travel to other parts of the United States to access quality care with improved outcomes, and increased demand for more cost-effective care that meets budget requirements. Additionally, foreigners increasingly travel to the US to take advantage of the Centers of Excellence and treatments available in the US. Many COEs have installed dedicated units to treat foreign patients, who very often travel with entourages and extended families that stay in local hotels and shop locally.?In fact, the United States is now one of the top three destinations worldwide for medical travel, and receives as many as 800,000 international patients seeking help with the most difficult health conditions. This article examines these trends and some of the key drivers of the industry, and provides illustrations of U.S. cities that are connecting medical tourism to sustainable tourism.

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