Caption: Kenya’s medical tourism market is one of the leading markets in Africa
News reports show that, Kenya is beginning to stand out as one the best medical tourist locations in Africa. Private and wellness facilities have set the country apart in recent months and have begun to attract many tourists from different parts of the globe.
According to the Economic Development in Africa Report 2017, Kenya is one of Africa’s highest recipients of international travel for medical services.
The report was released last week by the United Nations Conference on trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“The medical tourism is marked by African nationals seeking high-end specialized medical services and primary health-care services, increasingly in other African countries,” the report titled Tourism for Transformative and Inclusive Growth states as reported by the Daily Nation.
Kenya is among the top destinations for European and Africans seeking medical services, others include Egypt, Mauritius, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia.
According to the report many Europeans come to Africa in search of affordable yet quality medical services (e.g. cosmetic and reconstructive surgery).
“Demand by medical tourists for specialized medical care can stimulate job creation for highly skilled health professionals who provide such services,” states the Unctad tourism report as reported by the Daily Nation.
The report further acknowledged that the Sub-Saharan Africa region is one of the fastest growing markets for wellness tourism that has seen a significant growth in tourist and spa incomes.