Medical Tourism in Morocco: A state-of-the-art

Defining medical tourism

Medical tourism refers to the practice of traveling to another country in search of high-quality medical care, often at a lower cost compared to home countries. It encompasses a wide range of treatments, from elective cosmetic surgeries, dental care and wellness therapies to complex medical interventions. At the same time, this context constitutes an opportunity to combine healthcare with travel experiences.

In 2022, the global medical tourism market size was valued at USD 9.7 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 25.2% from 2023 to 2030. This gives clear insights for countries who seek to increase their GDP through this promising sector.

Leading countries  

Several countries have established themselves as prominent destinations for medical tourism due to their high quality healthcare infrastructure, skilled medical professionals and competitive pricing. The majority of these countries belong to Asia such as Thailand, India Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Turkey, also in South America including Mexico and Costa Rica, as well as Africa like Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.

The state-of-the-art in Morocco

Morocco’s medical tourism sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years. Particularly with a growing numbers of specialized clinics, located mainly in Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir, that adds to its tourist attractiveness. However, by analyzing statistics, the path is relatively long to reach the desired goal. According to the Medical Tourism Index (2020-2021) that measures the attractiveness of medical tourism destinations, Morocco is ranked 31^st out of 46 countries. This low rank might be justified by challenges faced in the medical system, the tourism sector, or both.

To balance the scales, we should, on the one hand, address the shortcomings in our healthcare system such as reducing the shortage of human resources, particularly doctors that reached a deficit of 47 000 as revealed by a current report of the Court of Auditors. In addition to investing in high- quality medical infrastructure and more specialized hospitals and clinics that adhere to international standards. In this way, it is worth establishing collaboration with international healthcare providers and insurers and get in touch with the latest medical innovations.

Morocco faces competition from neighboring countries, differentiating itself and offering unique experience is essential for a sustainable growth in this field.

In terms of the tourism experience, as Morocco boasts rich histories and diverse cultures, well programmed tourist attractions can turn a medical trip into a memorable adventure.

Finally, addressing these challenges requires collaboration of stakeholders between governments, healthcare institutions, tourism agencies, among others to provide valuable healthcare services while boosting the economy and the national healthcare industry.