Medical Tourism: Analysis of the State of International Tourism and Prospects for Domestic Development

Medical tourism is a relatively popular area of tourism, and the primary purpose is to organize the treatment of a patient abroad. It differs from usual tourism in that rest abroad is combined with medical services, which are ready to provide the world\u0027s leading centres and clinics. The study is devoted to developing recommendations for ensuring the sustainable development of Ukrainian medical tourism, based on the analysis of international tourism achievements. In their study, the authors similarly considered the very concept of medical tourism, its features and main directions, namely, the authors deemed such directions as diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitation, health-improving and non-traditional tourism. The authors examined the leading countries of inbound medical tourism, as well as the key incentives for such tourists. Analysis of the growth dynamics of medical tourists by year and the main directions of medical tourism in Ukraine allowed the authors to highlight the most promising Ukrainian medical tourism destinations. In conclusion, the authors analyzed the benefits of international and Ukrainian medical tourism. Summing up, the authors concluded that medical tourism in Ukraine is only at the initial stage of its development; however, certain regions have significant potential for its successful formation.