Metaverse technologies are transforming the medical tourism market, which is estimated at $47 billion in 2024. By 2027, various estimates suggest that the market could reach between $111 billion and $200 billion, as Metaverses open up new opportunities for remote treatment and improved patient satisfaction.
Several studies report that the global medical tourism market is growing strongly. According to Statista, the market size will be $47 billion in 2024. In three years, it could increase 2.5 times to $111 billion. Omnia Health analysts estimate the market growth potential even higher, stating that it may reach $200 billion by 2027.
Analysts call Metaverse technologies, which contribute to this industry’s increasing popularity, the main growth driver of the medical tourism market.
Medical tourism is a form of travel in which patients leave their home country to receive medical treatment outside the country. This may be due to a desire for better quality of healthcare abroad, financial considerations, or other reasons.
Analysts praise the benefits of using Metaverses to prepare patients for medical tourism. For example, experiencing tourist attractions, simulating a hospital’s treatment and recovery environment, and meeting doctors and staff in a virtual space significantly increase potential tourists’ interest. In essence, the Metaverse enables patients to take a “try before you buy” approach, which reduces the stress and uncertainty factors in planning such trips.
In addition, Metaverse technologies open up the possibility of virtual consultations, allowing them to talk to many subspecialists who can make a more accurate diagnosis and plan the upcoming treatment method.
Metaverses can also provide high-quality remote training of medical personnel based on international standards of medical services, which helps to attract foreign patients.
The world’s first virtual hospital was opened in the UAE in 2022. The global market for healthcare-related Metaverse hospitals was valued at $8.97 billion in 2023 and could exceed $496.26 billion in ten years.
