Dubai welcomed almost 700,000 medical tourists in 2023

Image: DHA/ Dubai Media Office

Dubai’s health tourism sector experienced robust expansion in 2023, showed a recent report by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The emirate welcomed over 691,000 international health tourists this year, a significant increase from the 674,000 recorded in 2022.

This influx of medical tourists contributed to a substantial rise in healthcare spending, which surpassed Dhs1.03bn, up from Dhs992m the previous year.

The DHA report highlights Dubai’s growing global reputation for high-quality healthcare services.

The surge in health tourism aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy and enhance its status as a leading hub for business, investment, and tourism.

Economic impact and strategic growth

Dubai’s health tourism sector generated indirect revenues of Dhs2.3bn in 2023, providing a significant boost to the emirate’s GDP and supporting key economic sectors. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, director general of the DHA, attributed the sector’s success to Dubai’s exceptional service quality, advanced healthcare technologies, and competitive pricing.

He also emphasised the crucial role of public-private partnerships in advancing Dubai’s health tourism sector.

Al Ketbi praised the private medical sector’s contributions, noting their dedication to offering superior experiences and treatment programs for international patients.

This partnership, coupled with ongoing investments in healthcare infrastructure, underscores Dubai’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge in global health tourism.

Medical tourism: Demographics and specialisations

The report reveals that 58 per cent of health tourists were women, while 42 per cent were men. Also, 33 per cent of these tourists came from Asia, followed by 28 per cent from GCC countries and 23 per cent from Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Among the most sought-after medical specialties, dentistry led with 29 per cent of the demand, followed by dermatology at 27 per cent and gynaecology at 13 per cent.

Regional preferences varied: for dermatology, Asia accounted for 33 per cent of the demand, while Arab and GCC countries represented 28 per cent.

Dental services were predominantly sought by patients from Arab and GCC countries (48 per cent), and gynaecology services were most in demand among Asian patients (49 per cent).

In 2022, Dubai welcomed 674,000 medical tourists spending Dhs992m in the year, an increase of Dhs262m compared to a year earlier.