Shiraz leading the way in medical tourism across Iran
The tourism industry is undeniably one of the most profitable industries globally. Today, there is a fierce competition among numerous countries around the world to capture the attention of travelers. In order to stand out, these countries strategically design well-thought-out programs to entice tourists.
One of the crucial factors in the tourism industry, not just in our country but worldwide, is religious and medical tourism. Living in an Islamic nation abundant with revered religious sites and a flourishing medical sector, we must fully appreciate the significance of these two aspects.
Fars Province, especially the vibrant city of Shiraz, shines as one of Iran’s top medical hubs. Boasting remarkable health care infrastructure, world-class medical professionals, and cutting-edge facilities, it propels the vision of creating an international health city. The goal is to unlock and maximize the healing capabilities of this city, propelling it to become the nation’s leading medical tourism destination.
Taking a holistic approach to health tourism can be a key asset in fostering a sustainable economy in this field.
Speaking in an interview with ISNA, Rouhollah Ravanshad, a tourism officials from Fars Province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organizations, said, “In the past, health tourism used to follow a more traditional approach, where travelers from both within and outside the country, including Persian Gulf littoral states, would visit and avail themselves of medical services. Remarkably, this cycle continues to persist even today.”
He added that Fars Province takes pride in its rich cultural heritage, vibrant tourism opportunities, and exquisite handicrafts. With the aim of organizing the realm of health and catering to the needs of health service seekers, both domestically and internationally, the Health Tourism Society has been established. This esteemed organization collaborates with 83 certified travel and tour agencies, ensuring top-notch services for those seeking health-related services.
With an emphasis on the fact that this important initiative was realized through collaboration with the Medical Sciences University, important and practical approaches are being pursued to organize health tourism. Undoubtedly, the establishment of the Health Tourism Society can be a turning point in carrying out activities in this field.
Health tourism encompasses a wide range of areas, including advanced medical treatments, therapeutic clinics, internal and cosmetic surgeries, as well as traditional medicine therapies.
Lowering treatment and accommodation costs in the field of medicine, embracing new technologies, and equipping advanced medical devices can greatly enhance the therapeutic capabilities of this city. These initiatives can turn it into a leading medical tourism destination in the country, attracting visitors from far and wide.
Ravanshad revealed that since mid-March 2023, over 17,000 health tourists have flocked to Shiraz. He emphasized that the expenses for treatment, surgery, and accommodation vary for each tourist. Furthermore, he confidently exclaimed, “Undeniably, health tourism in Shiraz plays a pivotal role in fostering growth across multiple sectors in the tourism industry.”
He continued that this organization has provided specialized training for 400 health tourism guides, and out of this group, 150 to 200 individuals possess health cards. It was mentioned that these tourism guides are generally fluent in Arabic, as the majority of health tourists visiting Shiraz are Arabic speakers. Moreover, we also have guides who are proficient in other languages.
Ravanshad noted that several travel and tourism agencies, equipped with medical professionals from Fars Province and relevant medical facilities, have been launched not only in Oman but also in other Islamic countries.
“It’s worth noting that various entities involved in health tourism, including both public and private sectors, medical organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Traffic Police are cooperating with the aim of increasing the number of health tourists in this field,” he concluded.