Costa Rica to host annual medical tourism summit

Costa Rica is set to host the fourth edition of the Medical Travel International Business Summit 2013, from April 24-26 at Hotel Los Sueños Marriott, in Playa Herradura, Puntarenas.

Some 15 countries and 250 medical tourism businesses will participate in the summit, which organizers say is an opportunity for Latin America companies to do business with health care service providers and tourism companies from the United States, Canada and countries from the region.

A press release from the Council for the International Promotion of Costa Rica Medicine (PROMED) and the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) noted that more than 50 million U.S. residents lack health insurance. Meanwhile, the Costa Rican health care system ranks fourth in Latin America in terms of quality. Other characteristics that make Costa Rica an attractive medical tourism destination include climate, proximity to the U.S. and affordable pricing.

According to “International Living” magazine, Costa Rica ranks among the top five retirement destinations in the world. The summit will promote Costa Rica and Latin America as a destination for quality and affordable health care and a good place to retire. Experts at the summit will discuss retirement community design and patient wellness programs, among other topics.

“Costa Rica has gained a broader awareness of the potential retiree market in terms of generating dollar incomes, health expenditures, food, tourism and other services. With attractive pricing on health care, security, housing and tourism activities, Costa Rica can become a favorite destination for thousands of North Americans and Europeans who are looking for a better quality of life at a better price,” PROMED President Jorge Cortés said.

In 2011, an estimated 48,000 health care tourists visited Costa Rica, generating some $338 million in revenue, PROMED said. The most popular specialties included dentistry, orthopedic care, preventive medicine and plastic surgery.

For more information on the summit or to register, see:  www.themedicaltravelsummit.com.