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.

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Other Word Forms

• medical tourist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of medical tourism

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Singapore market should stabilize by 2H, supported by the ramp-up of ambulatory care centers, medical tourism growth, and the expansion of Mount Elizabeth hospital, he adds.

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

Macau, which attracts almost 40 million visitors a year, offers an "unparalleled opportunity" to become a leading destination for medical tourism, said iRad's honorary chairman, Dennis Tam.

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

Mr. Kodsi said his project would cater to the boom in medical tourism.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2024