The Future of Medical Tourism in Puerto Vallarta

From August 24-26, Puerto Vallarta will host the first global Congress and Expo on Medical Tourism, bringing together 22 national and international presenters. The event organizer, Carlos Acero, explained the rationale behind this expo: as recently as 2008, Americans spent approximately $500 million abroad on medical treatment, with only $122 million reaching Mexico.

He went on to say that the final purpose of this reunion was to unify disparate elements in Mexico to make the country more competitive on an international scale, in terms of providing medical services. At present there are 8 internationally certified hospitals in this country; the goal of this expo is to increase that number to 20 in the next five years.

The director of International Health and Wellness, Fernando Sepulveda, commented that not only the U.S. is a potential source of income for Mexico's medical sector, but that South America is as well.

The impetus behind the expo is the fact that an approximate 20 million Americans are without medical insurance, but travel to other countries in search of treatment and medicine. As a result, Mexico is now busier than ever certifying its hospitals; in an attempt order to receive a larger share of the $1.5 billion that American patients are expected to spend on medical services abroad in 2017. As a result of the export of American Health services through medical tourism, U.S. insurance companies are looking to make strategic alliances with foreign hospitals.

The benefits to Puerto Vallarta's tourist based economy are many as statistics show that patients' families often travel medical tourists. Tourist services in Puerto Vallarta have been preparing to receive this new wedge of the tourism market over the years, with its several world-class hospitals, holistic health services, luxurious hotels, spectacular beaches and welcoming, friendly people, it is an ideal place for medical tourists and their families.

Hoteliers and developers are seizing the new opportunities presented by the coming wave of medical tourism. The foreigners that have already retired here, or are making their second home here, are natural candidates for local health and medical services. (Not coincidentally, the number one ranked country in the world for retirement is now Mexico.)

The average length of stay for patient and their families coming to Puerto Vallarta for medical treatment and facilities has been estimated at 1-4 weeks, depending on the patients' rates of recovery. According to official estimates, this relatively new business can increase tourist revenues by 20% or more.

Current figures estimate that before the conclusion of this presidential term, Mexico as a whole stands to earn more than $1 billion from foreigners and their families arriving for medical reasons per year. Vallarta, as one of Mexico's most popular resorts, with its superior infrastructure and medical services, stands to earn a more than significant percentage of this new income.