Since ancient times, mankind's urge to survive has never been lost. For this reason, the most important need of humanity is to be healthy, from ancient civilizations to today's modern world.
The history of the various destinations visited by those who want to be strengthened or treated in order to stay healthy and regain their health dates back to pre-Christian times. It is known that the Sumerians used thermal water resources as a health center in 4000 BC. Again, in the years before Christ, the thermal and mineral waters in Switzerland, France and Germany were destinations used for healing purposes. Again, in the years before Christ, the thermal and mineral waters in Switzerland, France and Germany were destinations used for healing purposes. In the early ages, health tourism mostly developed around thermal waters. The ancient Greeks created a health tourism network for the first time with the temples they built. People from many different regions were traveling to the temples of Epidaurus, Zeus, and Delphi, where the sick were treated, to heal.
It is known that holiday villages with thermal water sources were built in ancient Rome. Roman baths, which hosted many tourists all over the world, had become important centers of health tourism. The places where famous Roman physicians such as Soranus, Celsus, Dioscorides, and Galen lived were the same places where upper-class Roman citizens went for treatment.
With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the center of health tourism shifted to Asia. In Japan, mineral hot springs called "onsen" were used for the treatment of soldiers injured in the Medieval Wars. Hot water resources that heal wounds have become a health tourism center. One of the most important health tourism centers of the Middle Ages was in the city of Cordoba, which was under the control of the Andalusian Umayyad State at that time. Europe's first medical school was established there too. Health tourism was being done in Cordoba, where even European Christian kings visited for treatment.
Medical research and developments made after the Industrial Revolution enabled health services to begin to develop around the world. Thus, in this period, a great change and development were experienced both in the field of health and in health tourism. People's habit of going to more developed countries in order to receive better healthcare services has reversed. Since the 1980s, the costs of healthcare services have increased, and this has led patients to seek treatments in developing countries rather than developed countries. Many people from Europe and the USA have visited developing countries to seek treatment at lower costs.
Nowadays, due to the globalization of medical improvements access to quality health care facilities in clinics that are technologically sufficient is much less costly. But, offering alternatives to vacation as well as treatments has completed the transformation in health tourism. Countries such as India, Turkey, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, and Singapore are the most popular destinations for health tourism. These are also the countries that host the most patients in the eye, dental, heart, and aesthetic surgery operations.
With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the center of health tourism shifted to Asia. In Japan, mineral hot springs called "onsen" were used for the treatment of soldiers injured in the Medieval Wars. Hot springs that heal wounds have become a health tourism center. One of the most important health tourism centers of the Middle Ages was the city of Cordoba, which was under the control of the Andalusian Umayyad State at that time and where Europe's first medical school was established. Even European Christian kings visited Cordoba for treatment.
Medical research and evolvement that was made after the Industrial Revolution enabled health services to begin to develop around the world. Thus, in this period, a great change and transformation were experienced both in the health area and in health tourism. People's habit of going to more developed countries in order to receive better healthcare services has reversed. Since the 1980s, the costs of healthcare services have increased and this has led patients to seek treatment in developing countries rather than developed countries. Many people from Europe and the USA have gone to these countries to find lower-cost treatment.
Due to the globalization of developments in the field of medicine, access to quality health care facilities in clinics that are technologically sufficient is much less costly nowadays. However, offering vacation alternatives as well as treatment has completed the transformation in health tourism. Today, countries such as India, Turkey, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, and Singapore are the countries that host the most patients in the eye, dental, heart, and aesthetic surgery operations. These are the most popular destinations for health tourism.
Author:
FOUNDER and CEO