Medical tourism in the COVID-19 era: opportunities, challenges and the way ahead
Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes
ISSN: 1755-4217
Article publication date: 29 July 2021
Issue publication date: 11 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The novel coronavirus has not only caused significant illness and loss of life, it has caused major disruption at local, national and global levels. While the healthcare industry is experiencing growth during the pandemic, disruption to travel has affected medical tourism. This article considers the short-term factors affecting medical tourism and how they could be mitigated by incorporating technological advances to secure long-term growth.
Design/methodology/approach
The study examines data provided by the Indian government as well as from non-government sources available in the public domain to review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on medical tourism. The authors also examine data on technological advances in the healthcare industry that could help to reduce the impact of the pandemic.
Findings
This study’s findings show that while in-person services have been seriously impacted in the short term, technological adaptation of medical services to facilitate remote medical consultation has significantly increased. This has enlarged the business opportunities available to hospitals and general practitioners, and it could be leveraged to enhance medical tourism.
Originality/value
The article provides an analysis of the impact of the pandemic on medical tourism and how technology could be used to overcome short-term negative impacts and support longer-term development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Article summary statement: The manuscript titled “Medical Tourism Industry in the COVID-19 era: Opportunities, Challenges and the way ahead” provides a comprehensive account of the factors impacting medical tourism industry in short term and how these could be mitigated by incorporation of technological advances to achieve long-term growth. The study takes into account data from government as well as non-government sources to draw meaningful conclusions on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on medical tourism industry. The manuscript provides a balanced analysis of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Medical Tourism industry and how technological advances can help overcome the negative impact in short term, while increasing the business in long term. Finally, authors also provide insights into practical implications of COVID-19 pandemic for the managers and the governments to effectively integrate these measures into practice to achieve these objectives.
Citation
Chhabra, A., Munjal, M., Mishra, P.C., Singh, K., Das, D., Kuhar, N. and Vats, M. (2021), "Medical tourism in the COVID-19 era: opportunities, challenges and the way ahead", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 13 No. 5, pp. 660-665. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-05-2021-0078
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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