Greece Seeking to Clinch a Share of Reproductive Tourism Segment

Actions required for Greece to secure a bigger share of the reproductive tourism segment was the focus of the 2nd International Conference on Technology and Innovation of Southeast Europe “The Future of Digital Health, Today”, held in Thessaloniki recently.

Thanks to a favorable legal framework, low costs, and to the exceptional reputation for medical doctors and services together with its traditional sea and sun package, Greece is aiming to attract more visitors seeking such services.

Speaking at the event organized by the Cisco International Center for Digital Transformation and Skills (DT&S), Deputy Tourism Minister Elena Rapti said Greece ranked ninth in Europe as a medical tourism destination.

Rapti referred to resources available in Greece which can contribute to the development of the segment. These include dental, spa/thermal tourism and wellness tourism options.

In this direction, she said, the Tourism Ministry has set up a special committee to formulate a framework of development for health tourism.

Other areas of health interest which Greece can further develop include plastic surgery, hair transplants, orthopedic treatments as well as medically assisted reproduction tourism, she said.

According to the deputy tourism minister, Greece offers services at competitive prices, and boasts among others modern IVF units and exceptional hotel infrastructure.

Also speaking at the event, Biologist-Clinical Embryologist Alexia Hadjiparasidou said the needs for assisted reproduction are set to multiply in the coming period. She went on to add that Greece will be able to tap into the brand name it has built in order to attract more and more childless couples.

She went on to underline the importance of developing the segment, which she said, could generate significant revenues for Greece not only through treatments, but also for air tickets, accommodation, and F&B services.