Dubai is becoming more popular among those seeking medical care from abroad. Many are traveling to Dubai, which is known as a “health tourist” destination, and they spent nearly $200M. Recent data from the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA) showed that the number of medical tourists visiting Dubai doubled in 2021, despite pandemic-related restrictions, and they spent close to $198M on healthcare.
According to DHCA’s white paper on the regional healthcare sector, the spending on healthcare in Dubai and other GCC countries will continue to increase. The projected CAGR is 4.9% from $86.2B in 2020 to $99.6B in 2023. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, which together will account for around 80% of global spending, will drive the surge. According to the Medical Tourism Association, around 14 million people travel each year to receive medical care outside of their country of residence, making medical tourism a rapidly expanding sector.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the value of the worldwide medical tourism market is expected to increase to $53.51B in 2028 from $13.98B in 2021. In a report, the organisation claimed that “dramatic advancements in the healthcare industry, fuelled by the introduction of revolutionary medical technologies and non-invasive procedures, are propelling the expansion of medical tourism globally.”
The DHCA highlighted, among other things, the healthcare sector’s resiliency in Dubai in its whitepaper. The UAE’s healthcare-focused freezone, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), contributed AED 2.8B ($762.3M) to Dubai’s GDP in 2021. By 2030, the amount is anticipated to increase to AED 3.4B. Additionally, the freezone helped Dubai add 15,760 jobs, according to Zawya. “Since DHCC was launched in 2002, we have dedicated our efforts to realise Dubai’s goals of becoming a global leader in healthcare and wellness. To be able to address market demand, it is vital to understand its realities, and this whitepaper will help us cater to the needs of our partners and the wider healthcare industry,” the authority said.
