2018 may prove to be a pivotal year for the medical tourism industry in Greece, as the nation’s capital is to host the IMTJ Medical Travel Summit 2018, a major international conference aimed at promoting the sector and facilitating opportunities for sustainable growth.

The International Medical Travel  Journal (IMTJ) Summit will take place in Athens from May 21st to May 24th, 2018. Now in its fourth year, the summit is a high-level event aimed at senior decision makers involved in the medical tourism and international patient market. It aims to bring together the top people in the sector to share their knowledge and experience and ensure the long-term development of this industry.

The event in Athens will combine four key elements:

• The IMTJ Medical Travel Summit which will bring together key opinion leaders and senior executives involved in medical tourism and healthcare businesses across the world.

• The IMTJ Medical Travel Awards which will celebrate the success of the leading players in medical tourism.

• The IMTJ Marketplace will provide exhibitors with a great opportunity to meet new customers.

• B2B Meetings that will bring together buyers of medical travel and international patient services with providers and suppliers who are seeking new business opportunities and sources of patient referral.

The IMTJ provides insight into the medical travel and medical tourism sector. It was established in 2007 in response to the increasing interest in medical travel and medical tourism. It embraces many of the themes that challenge healthcare providers across the world – insurance, accreditation, marketing and promotion, quality, patient safety, levels of care and experience in treating international patients.

The summit will be held at the Wyndham Grand in downtown Athens. Situated within Athens’ historic centre, this luxury hotel offers easy access to significant ancient landmarks – including the Acropolis – as well as the theater district, exceptional museums, incredible nightlife, and the charm and magnificence of this legendary city. Athens International Airport is also easily accessible from the hotel by car or metro (Metaxourgio Station).

Health tourism in Greece

The IMTJ Medical Travel Summit 2018 is supported by Elitour – the official Greek Medical Tourism Council – an initiative of hospital groups and companies from health, transport, tourism, insurance and advertising, covering the whole spectrum of medical tourism services throughout Greece. Elitour is the first successful collective effort aiming to introduce and integrate Greece in the international healthcare tourism map as a premier destination.

Elitour points to the many competitive advantages that Greece has as a healthcare destination, from its history as the birthplace of the principles of modern medicine to its state-of-the-art private medical facilities. Specifically, Greece offers:

• High quality in private healthcare services and facilities’ infrastructure and value-for-money medical care
• Medical staff with international recognition regarding skills, and also one of the highest European rates in doctors per capita
• Easy access through numerous airports and sea ports, which also facilitates the creation of ‘health tourism bundles’ combining the medical and the tourism aspect of the visit
• Already acknowledged as a top international tourist destination (mild climate, cultural heritage, scenery variety, Mediterranean diet, etc.)
• High-end touristic facilities and international hospitality experience in one of the most popular destinations in the world
• A Mediterranean paradise with more than 350 sunny days annually and original Mediterranean cuisine
• Easy access from around the world by plane, ship or train
• Strong heritage from the ancient times and unique touristic attractions with golden beaches, sunsets and Greek orthodox churches
• World-class facilities and advanced technology in line with the European quality and safety standards
• Culture and entertainment for every taste with hundreds of ancient and modern theatres, multiplex cinemas, operas, concert halls, discos and local folk music stages
• Infrastructure availability for various types of health tourism – Surgical/Rehabilitation/Hemodialysis/Diagnostics/Dentistry/IVF-Maternity
• Excellent medical services by highly skilled doctors with studies in the best Greek, European or American Universities

For more information and articles about wellness and health tourism in Greece, check out our latest issue: Greece Is Health 2018 (available here as a browsable / downloadable pdf).