Aesthetic medical tourism in Colombia: opportunity for the economic development of the country

Abstract

Medical tourism constitutes one of the growing industries within the area of health services, not only because of its competitive advantages, but also because of the multiple benefits attributed to it. In addition to providing economical care for illnesses, it also stands out for its contribution to general health through relaxation experiences. In this scenario, medical aesthetic tourism constitutes one of the most popular modalities, which also offers different possibilities for recreation during recovery. With the objective of analyzing the potential of medical aesthetic tourism in Colombia, a documentary review study was conducted, organized in a rigorous protocol for the selection of sources and thematic content analysis. The research findings show that medical tourism in general and aesthetic medical tourism specifically constitute an important industry in the Colombian context, since its synergies with conventional tourism and other economic sectors are seen as drivers of development and sustainable growth. For future studies, it is recommended to delve into helix relationships, standards, medical and tourism, and the integration of other sectors through strategic alliances