Greece Meets Conditions to Become Health Tourism Destination

Greece could potentially attract 100,000 tourists seeking medical, health and wellness services who would generate more than 400 million euros annually said Greece’s Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, Olympia Anastasopoulou, during this week’s Global Wellness Economy Forum held in Athens.

Citing data from studies carried out by the Athens-based Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) with the support of the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels (HCH), Anastasopoulou said Greece met all the conditions to evolve into a leading health and wellness tourism destination.

“It is possible [for Greece] to increase its share in the wellness tourism market through specific marketing and promotional actions,” she said during this week’s event jointly organized by the Greek Health Tourism Council Elitour, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Enterprise Greece, the tourism and health ministries and the Attica Region.

(From left): EBRD Regional Head – Director Greece & Cyprus Andreea Moraru; Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development Olympia Anastasopoulou; Attica Region Governor George Patoulis. Photo source: Ministry of Tourism.

Among Greece’s main advantages, she said, were the excellent climate, the natural environment – ideal for rehabilitation and recuperation, high-quality medical services, highly experienced scientific and medical staff, top-notch hotel infrastructure and competitive rates compared to most Western European countries.

In parallel to promotional and marketing actions, Anastasopoulou said it was vital to create tourist products that link wellness and health with gastronomy as well as with sports and cultural experiences which would cater to all ages.