Medical tourism is a budding segment for VisitBerlin, which this year started targeting the Chinese market, following similar initiatives to lure visitors from Russia & CIS countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE last year.
Last year, Berlin attracted some 21,000 medical patients from Russia & CIS countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. “This year, by entering the Chinese market, we expect a big growth,” said VisitBerlin’s director market management Asia, Australia and the Middle East, Ralf Ostendorf at WTM Connect Asia held in Penang last week.
Chinese tourists in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate
“These countries show a special interest in medical tourism and those seeking treatments for simple and complex procedures are willing to travel to seek treatment. The governments of some countries in the Middle East also provide support for their citizens to do so,” said Ostendorf.
A dedicated English language website, www.berlin-health-excellence.de, was launched in March 2017 to provide information on medical facilities in Berlin, and a Chinese version was rolled out this month. The site offers details on hospitals, doctors and their specialisations and maps that show the closest pharmacy and accommodation providers.
Similar websites were previously developed in Russian and Arabic languages.
VisitBerlin promotes medical tourism by organising roadshows and inviting foreign tour operators handling medical tourists to meet with hospital representatives. It also attends medical trade shows together with inbound tour operators in Berlin and medical departments in the countries targeted.
