medical tourism

American  

noun

1. tourist travel for the purpose of receiving medical treatment or improving health or fitness.

   The spiraling cost of healthcare has contributed to the growth of medical tourism.

---

Other Word Forms

• medical tourist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of medical tourism

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

medical tourism

In Malaysia, revenue is forecast to grow 12.3%, supported by higher day care volumes, medical tourism and bed expansion, while margins are set to improve on cost discipline, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026

Leigh Turner, a professor and executive director of the bioethics program at the University of California, Irvine, tracks direct-to-consumer therapies and medical tourism offerings.

From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026

The project aims to promote medical tourism in Macau, create jobs and bring healthcare and leisure under one roof, said the resort chain's chief executive Lawrence Ho.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2025

Aw doesn’t expect this to materially impact IHH’s earnings and remains positive on its diversified regional base, solid execution track record and earnings support from Singapore’s recovery and rising medical tourism in Malaysia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2025

The move is part of a wider government campaign to curb so-called medical tourism, as well as tighten regulations for cosmetic practitioners in England.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2025