Medical Tourism Emerges as a Bright Spot for Flagging Dubai
Skift Take
Dubai has faced a slump in recent years as it struggled amid a global economic slowdown, an oversupplied real estate sector, and slow tourism activity due to regional unrest. But its ability to build a reputation for itself as a medical tourism hub in the Middle East has provided some much-needed support for its travel sector.
When people around the world think of travel in the Middle East, medical tourism is typically not the first idea that comes to mind — particularly in Dubai.
Most people think of visiting the coastal city for its soaring skyscrapers, luxurious shopping venues, or year-round warm weather.
But the emirate, which is one of seven in the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, has built a reputation for itself as a medical tourism hub in the Middle East within the niche of wellness and cosmetic surgery.
The sector is so essential that UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai, passed a law in 2018 to enhance and support medical tourism in the city.
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) enacted Law No. 8 of 2018 based on Sheikh Mohammed’s directives to ensure that clinics bring to the city highly-trained medical and technical staff for the safety, health, and privacy of patients and medical tourists.
In 2018, Dubai witnessed 337,011 international medical tourists, according to data
