Kefalogianni: Development Of Medical Tourism In Greece Is A Priority

Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni

Medical tourism is a priority for the Greek Tourism Ministry, according to the country’s tourism minister Olga Kefalogianni.

Speaking at a conference of the Health Ministry on 12 December, Mrs. Kefalogianni underlined that medical tourism contributes to the upgrade of the level of offered services, the improvement of the quality of the domestic tourism product and the extension of the tourism season, “one of the biggest challenges for Greek tourism.”

When referring to the objectives set by the ministry in regards to medical tourism, she noted that Greece should become a destination, not only for medical travel but also for medical tourism. “The key is to combine leisure travel to Greece with medical care, mainly for mild medical incidents,” she said.

The tourism minister stressed that for the country’s medical and tourism sectors to meet international standards, legislation, synergies, agreements and exchange of expertise and scientific staff of Greece with other countries are highly required.

“The development of medical tourism will influence development in other sectors of the Greek economy: pharmaceutical industry, primary production of Greek quality products, hospitality sector and other special forms of tourism,” she concluded.

Tourism and health ministers join forces

Greece is moving at full speed for the development of medical tourism. In late November a Joint Ministerial Decision that outlines the conditions for the practice of medical tourism in Greece was signed by Mrs. Kefalogianni and Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis (photo, right).

Next week, the two ministers will speak about their cooperation at an event of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels. The event is entitled “Medical Tourism in Practice” and the institutional framework for the development of medical tourism in Greece will be introduced.