THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM IN SOUTH KOREA AND TURKEY: THE COMPARISON OF ECONOMIC MODELS

DANIELA CEBOTARI
PhD Candidate Vice-Director,, C.M. VERTEBRO MED LLC
, Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova
ORCID: 0009-0007-6733-475X
Email: cebotari.daniela.csek@ase.md

ZORINA SISCAN
PhD Hab., University Professor Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Republic of Moldova
ORCID: 0000-0003-2158-7659
Email: shishcan.zorina@ase.md

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/cike2025.36

Pages: 291–300

📄 Download PDF

Abstract

: The development of medical tourism has become a significant economic and social phenomenon in the last two decades, and the Republic of Korea and Turkey represent two distinct models of success in this field. The purpose of the study is to compare those two economies, focusing on the institutional strategies and economic mechanisms that have contributed to strengthening their position in the global medical tourism market. The research is based on a comparative approach, using documentary analysis, official statistical data and international reports on patient flows, investments and impact on gross domestic product. The results highlight that, while the Republic of Korea relies on technological innovation, high-quality medical services and digitalization, Turkey has developed a competitive model based on low costs, extensive infrastructure and regional accessibility. Both countries have managed to attract international patients through favorable government policies and massive investments in the medical sector, but the differences in strategy highlight the multidimensional nature of medical tourism. The research conclusions emphasize that the experience of South Korea and Turkey provides valuable examples of good practices in the development of medical tourism, using different but effective economic models. For the Republic of Moldova and Romania, these results can serve as a benchmark in the development of national policies aimed at diversifying medical services, improving infrastructure and promoting regional competitiveness. Integrating the positive elements of the South Korean and Turkish models could contribute to capitalizing on the existing potential and positioning these countries on the international medical tourism map.

Keywords: medical tourism, Republic of Korea, Turkey, economic models, competitiveness, development

JEL Classification: I15, I18, F2, L83, O5, P52

References

    1. Connell, J. (2015). Medical Tourism. Wallingford: CABI.
    2. Deloitte (2023). Global Healthcare Outlook 2023. Deloitte Insights. Available at: https://www2.deloitte.com (Accessed: 22 September 2025).
    3. FineUp Clinic (2024). Health Tourism Statistics in Turkey 2024. Available at: https://fineupclinic.com/blog/health-tourism-statistics-in-turkey-2024 (Accessed: 21 September 2025).
    4. Horowitz, M.D., Rosensweig, J.A. and Jones, C.A. (2020). Medical tourism: globalization of the healthcare marketplace. Journal of International Business Studies, 51(1), pp. 64–77.
    5. Lunt, N. and Carrera, P. (2019). Medical Tourism: Globalization and Healthcare. London: Routledge.
    6. KHIDI (2024). Medical Korea: Annual Report 2024. Korea Health Industry Development Institute. Available at: https://www.khidi.or.kr (Accessed: 22 September 2025).
    7. net (2024). Number of foreign patients visiting Korea reaches 1.17 million in 2024. Available at: https://www.korea.net (Accessed: 23 September 2025).
    8. Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (MOHW) (2023). Health Industry Policy Report. Available at: https://www.mohw.go.kr (Accessed: 20 September 2025).
    9. Ministry of Health of Turkey (2023). Annual Health Statistics Yearbook. Ankara: MoH Publications.
    10. New Health Media (2024). Turkey hosted 2 million health tourists in 2024. Available at: https://www.newhealth.media (Accessed: 23 September 2025).
    11. OECD (2023). Health expenditure and financing: Turkey and Korea 2015–2024. OECD Health Statistics. Available at: https://stats.oecd.org (Accessed: 24 September 2025).
    12. Seoul Metropolitan Government (2024). Seoul draws 1m international medical tourists in 2024 with ₩1.2t in medical spending. english.seoul.go.kr. Available at: https://english.seoul.go.kr/seoul-draws-1m-international-medical-tourists-in-2024-with-%E2%82%A91-2t-in-medical-spending (Accessed: 23 September 2025).
    13. Smith, R.D. and Forgione, D.A. (2019). Global Outsourcing of Healthcare: A Medical Tourism Decision Model. Journal of Healthcare Management, 64(3), pp. 183–198.
    14. Turkiye Today (2024). Medical tourism in Türkiye hits record 2 million visitors. Available at: https://www.turkiyetoday.com (Accessed: 23 September 2025).
    15. Turner, L. (2020). Medical Travel and Global Health: An International Perspective. Cham: Springer.
    16. Yılmaz, F. and Aktaş, S. (2021). Public-private partnerships in Turkish healthcare: the case of City Hospitals. Health Policy, 125(2), pp. 243–252.

     

     

Scroll to Top