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Epidaurus · Treatment Guide · Wellness & Preventive Care

Going abroad for —

Wellness Tourism Infrastructure

Overall wellness tourism development and support services

The country comparison

Which countries are best for wellness tourism infrastructure

The destinations ranked high→low under this lens — each with the reasoning behind its score, the cited evidence one click down, and its full report. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

19 / 19 Countries ranked

Researched and assessed by the Epidaurus editorial pipeline against our published scale. A country below the rule is not yet assessed enough — never ranked last.

  1. 1 Thailand TH 5.0/5 Good Thailand demonstrates exceptional wellness tourism infrastructure across all dimensions. The country has implemented a comprehensive 10-year government strategy (2025-2034) with dedicated agencies coordinating across ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Comprehensive 10-year national strategy (2025-2034) with dedicated government committee for wellness and medical service hub development
    • Multiple coordinated wellness zones: 5 named destinations (Phuket, Chiang Mai, Khao Yai, Saraburi, Phang-nga) plus 10 wellness tourism enterprise network clusters across regions
    • Over 70% of wellness centers certified under government standards for hygiene, staff qualifications, and service offerings (2023)
    • Government-supported ArokaGO.com platform plus multiple medical tourism agencies (Konkai, Health Tours Thailand, Thai Medics, Bangkok Health Service, Triumph Tourism) providing integrated booking and coordination
    • Airport expansion to 60M passengers annually (Suvarnabhumi) and 18M annually (Phuket); extensive international flight networks and government-subsidized domestic flights connecting wellness destinations
    • 'Healing is the New Luxury' global campaign at World Travel Market 2025; selection to host Global Wellness Summit 2026 with 600+ delegates from 30+ countries

    Read the full Thailand report →

  2. 2 Singapore SG 4.5/5 Good Singapore demonstrates exceptional government policy commitment, regulatory framework, and transportation infrastructure for wellness tourism, with four major coordinated development zones and strong international bra... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Tourism 2040 strategy explicitly positions wellness as primary economic driver with S$740 million 2026 funding announcement and designated STB government agency oversight
    • Four major coordinated wellness zones: Greater Sentosa Master Plan, S$1 billion Marina South Therme Singapore (2030 opening, 2M annual visitors), Jurong Lake District 150,000 sq-m wellness complex, and 30-site Therapeutic Gardens network (3 open, 27 by 2030)
    • PLRD licensing framework with mandatory 80% certified staff requirement, Healthcare Services Act 2020 regulatory coverage, and SkillsFuture/CIBTAC professional training ecosystem (7 CIBTAC centers, polytechnic diploma programs)
    • Changi Airport (World's Best Airport 2025) provides 150+ direct international destinations plus in-transit Fit&Fun Zone wellness facilities; MRT connects all major wellness precincts; Greater Sentosa dedicated transport hub
    • STB Tourism Information Hub wellness listings database and ClassPass partnership enable discovery and booking, though no single integrated multi-service platform yet exists
    • Strong international positioning as first GWI Geography of Wellness country partner (2022–2025) and permanent ITB Asia host with dedicated 2026 wellness pavilion; explicit marketing to 5+ target markets (China, Indonesia, Australia, India, USA)

    Read the full Singapore report →

  3. 3 South Korea KR 4.0/5 Good South Korea has established official wellness tourism policy with dedicated government agencies (MCST, KTO, KHIDI), designated 77 wellness tourism sites organized into 6 coordinated convergence clusters, and maintains... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • 6 convergence clusters plus 77 designated wellness tourism sites across six themes with government-provided consulting and quality improvement support
    • Multiple dedicated government agencies: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization (with dedicated Medical & Wellness Team), and Korea Health Industry Development Institute
    • Medical tourism support centers at Incheon Airport (since December 2018) and Seoul Station with multilingual services and healthcare professional consultations
    • Act on Promotion of the Healing Tourism Industry aligned for April 2026 enforcement, providing regulatory framework for wellness tourism operations
    • Strategic international partnerships with Global Healthcare Accreditation and Medical Tourism Association; coordinated marketing targeting China, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Middle East
    • Strong market validation: 93.2% growth in foreign patients in 2024 (crossing one-million threshold); market projected USD 8.3 billion (2022) to USD 28.3 billion by 2030

    Read the full South Korea report →

  4. 4 Spain ES 4.0/5 Good Spain demonstrates strong wellness tourism infrastructure with official government policy (Spain Tourism Strategy 2030), two well-coordinated regional zones (Galicia thermal corridor and Costa del Sol TOURISM & HEALTH... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Spain Tourism Strategy 2030 approved October 2025 with 50 measures, 148 actions, and health/beauty as one of nine official tourism product categories; led by Ministry of Industry and Tourism and SEGITTUR
    • Two established coordinated zones: Galicia Thermal Tourism Area (€10 million plan 2025–2028, Ourense hub) and Costa del Sol TOURISM & HEALTH SPAIN cluster (20+ organizations, 6,500 professionals, Deloitte-recognized as Europe's most relevant health tourism project)
    • ANBAL (60–66 certified thermal establishments) with Q Tourism Quality Mark system—thermal sector holds highest certifications of any Spanish tourism category; UNE-ISO 21426 is the first international balneology standard
    • Spain.info and experiences.spain.info platforms list wellness offerings, but report explicitly confirms 'no single, centralised wellness tourism booking platform that integrates accommodation, spa treatments, transport, and ancillary services' (visitors must transact separately with individual providers)
    • General transportation infrastructure excellent (94 million international visitors, high-speed AVE rail, 80–90% metro accessibility), but 'no specialised private wellness shuttle networks comparable to those in Thailand or Hungary exist at national scale'
    • Turespaña global office network with health/beauty as official marketing category; 2,000+ international marketing actions in 2024; FITUR platform access

    Read the full Spain report →

  5. 5 Poland PL 4.0/5 Good Poland demonstrates strong wellness tourism infrastructure fundamentals through its 2005 Health Resort Act creating 46 legally protected spa communes with mandatory green-space protections, paired with active industry... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • 46 statutory health resort communes with legally mandated three-zone protection structure governed by the 2005 Health Resort Act
    • Association of Polish Spa Communities (SGU RP) established 1991 representing all spa municipalities; Polska Grupa Uzdrowisk coordinates seven resorts with unified booking portal
    • Polish Tourism Organisation maintains 16 international offices in 15 countries with dedicated health tourism stands at ITB Berlin annually
    • Hoper private wellness-specific transport network covers 25 health resorts on 14 dedicated routes; PKP rail provides senior discounts
    • PGU multilingual booking portal (Polish, English, German, Czech) integrates 7 resorts with standardized packages starting 270-400 PLN per night
    • Tourism Development Strategy to 2030 still in consultation phase with dedicated spa and wellness sub-strategy in development; €29.2 million allocated for 2025 tourism promotion

    Read the full Poland report →

  6. 6 Turkey TR 4.0/5 Good Turkey demonstrates strong wellness tourism infrastructure with comprehensive government strategy, 7 coordinated thermal tourism regions, dedicated agencies (TGA and SATURK), mandatory industry coordination through TÜ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 5 cited points
    • Turkey Tourism Strategy 2023 with integrated health, thermal, and wellness tourism targets; TGA and SATURK providing dedicated government oversight
    • Seven designated thermal tourism regions across Turkey with integrated regional development (Southern Marmara, South Aegean, Ancient Phrygia, Central Anatolia, Northern Anatolia, Eastern Marmara, Western Black Sea)
    • Safe Tourism Certification Program (2020) covering ~12,000 facilities globally first; mandatory TÜRSAB membership for all travel agencies with 34 regional organization
    • Multiple platform offerings (GoTürkiye, wellness.goturkiye.com, Health Go Turkey) but no unified centralized government booking platform for integrated wellness tourism packages
    • Turkish Airlines 50% medical patient discounts with non-stop service from 8 US/3 Canadian cities; GSTC partnership agreement (2022) as first government mandatory program

    Read the full Turkey report →

  7. 7 United Arab Emirates AE 4.0/5 Good The UAE demonstrates excellent wellness tourism infrastructure meeting or exceeding Score 4 criteria across most dimensions. It operates two comprehensive national strategies (Tourism Strategy 2031, National Strategy ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 both explicitly target wellness tourism with dedicated National Wellbeing Council and Ministry of Economy & Tourism oversight
    • Three+ coordinated wellness zones: Dubai Healthcare City (19M sq ft Phase 2, ISQua-accredited, metro-connected), SHA Emirates (healthy living island, 2027), Fahid Island (coastal wellness), Jebel Jais mountain corridor with five-star spa resorts
    • Regulatory framework: Mandatory dual licensing (DET commercial + DHA health authority), DHCR ISQua accreditation, Abu Dhabi Jawda quality standards, DHA Sheryan Portal for therapist credential verification
    • Booking platforms: DXH (100+ licensed facilities, AI-integrated with HealthStay), Abu Dhabi Medical Tourism e-portal (40 facilities, 300 packages), Emirates Holidays bundled wellness packages
    • Transportation: Dubai International Airport (world's busiest, Emirates 140+ destinations), Abu Dhabi International Airport (Etihad 80+ destinations, seat capacity 13.4M), DHCC Dubai Metro access, RAKTDA luxury airport shuttle to Ras Al Khaimah
    • International marketing: Hosted 2025 Global Wellness Summit (Abu Dhabi, UAE Ministry of Health strategic partner, 500+ executives), Dubai Fitness Challenge (2.7M 2024 participants), DCT Abu Dhabi 10 joint marketing programs, GWI–Aldar partnership

    Read the full United Arab Emirates report →

  8. 8 Germany DE 4.0/5 Good Germany operates a mature, institutionally-anchored wellness tourism ecosystem with an official national strategy (BMWK, September 2024), 350+ state-approved spa towns with legally-embedded quality standards, and four... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Federal BMWK National Tourism Strategy (September 2024) explicitly designates wellness and health tourism as priority sectors with dedicated government oversight
    • 350+ state-approved Kurorte and Heilbäder across all 16 Länder with Begriffsbestimmungen (14th edition, 2023) embedded in state spa laws providing legally-binding quality standards
    • Four overlapping industry bodies (DHV, DWV, DMWV, Wellness Hotels & Resorts) providing standardized certification; TÜV Rheinland-verified inspections every 24 months for hotel certifications
    • Germany Travel portal (government-supported, multi-language) and Wellness Hotels & Resorts platform serve as primary booking interfaces, but no single centralized integration of accommodation, treatments, and transport
    • Deutsche Bahn rail connectivity to flagship destinations (Baden-Baden 1.5 hours from Frankfurt) with integrated 518 km wellness rail route, but rural Black Forest and Bavarian Alpine destinations lack public transport options
    • GNTB 'Simply Feel Good' campaign (2023-2025) with 140+ certified sustainable tourism products, Germany Travel Mart (150 international buyers, 3,200+ meetings in 2025), and ITB Berlin (975 sqm national stand) demonstrate strong international marketing infrastructure

    Read the full Germany report →

  9. 9 Japan JP 4.0/5 Good Japan demonstrates solid wellness tourism infrastructure with 79 government-designated wellness zones, multi-ministry policy support, and strong international marketing presence, meeting all Score 4 criteria. However,... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • 79 Ministry of Environment-designated National Hot Spring Health Resorts nationwide requiring medicinal water, physician oversight, and universal accessibility
    • Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan (2023-2025) with JPY 15.82 billion supplementary budget for FY 2024, plus new plan targeting 60 million visitors by 2030
    • JNTO operates 26 overseas offices with multilingual wellness marketing in 5+ target markets (US, Europe, Australia, Singapore, India); Japan is 3rd-largest wellness destination in Asia
    • Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association (~3,000 certified members), International Wellness Tourism EXPO (10,000+ visitors in 2025), and 300+ DMOs demonstrating active industry coordination
    • Exemplary local coordination models: Kurokawa Onsen (30-ryokan association with shared hopping pass), Niseko municipal 2030 development plan, Shinanomachi prefecture-backed forest therapy since 2002
    • World-class Shinkansen connectivity reaching major wellness destinations (Beppu 2 hrs from Hakata, Atami 40 mins from Tokyo, Hakone 85 mins from Shinjuku)

    Read the full Japan report →

  10. 10 Jordan JO 3.5/5 Moderate Jordan exhibits strong government policy commitment (NTS 2021–2025, National Medical Tourism Strategy 2023–2027) and has developed a single major coordinated zone (Dead Sea Development Zone, 40 km², with professional ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • National Tourism Strategy 2021–2025 identifies wellness as a targeted niche; National Medical Tourism Strategy 2023–2027 includes wellness scope with dedicated government responsibility (MoTA, Ministry of Health, Supreme Committee)
    • Dead Sea Development Zone (40 km²) with Sasaki master plan; three JFDZG public projects launched 2026 (Corniche 1.1 km, Tourist Beach 240 dunums, Walkway 4 km); DSDZ rental prices cut 50% to attract investors
    • JITOA handles ~70% of Jordan's inbound tourism and organizes wellness workshops; PHA organizes IHTF—the largest healthcare travel forum in MENA (1,000+ participants, 45 countries, 2019)
    • Report explicitly states: 'No country-level, dedicated wellness spa certification programme' exists; wellness-tourism-specific licensing is 'mandated as a future goal under the 2023–2027 strategy rather than an operational reality'
    • MedXJordan integrates medical records and Royal Jordanian booking but is 'oriented primarily toward clinical medical tourism; pure wellness itinerary building...is not its principal use case'; no government-run platform integrating 50+ facilities exists
    • International marketing active in 10+ capitals (May 2026 campaign); ITB Berlin 2025 (17 offices, 70+ trade meetings); SATTE 2026 India; 'Jordan: Unrivaled' and 'ExtraJORDANary' campaigns feature wellness prominently

    Read the full Jordan report →

  11. 11 Brazil BR 3.5/5 Moderate Brazil demonstrates moderate-to-good infrastructure maturity with strong international marketing momentum but critical structural gaps. While Embratur's dedicated 2026 'For renewal' campaign targets 10 European market... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • National Tourism Plan 2024–2027 (Decree 12.136/2024) incorporates wellness within regenerative tourism but does not define wellness tourism as a standalone sector; Ministry of Tourism and Embratur handle it within broader tourism strategy
    • Zero formally designated wellness tourism zones; Caldas Novas (world's largest hydrothermal resort, 75,000+ beds) and Trancoso operate informally without coordinated zone planning or shared services
    • Multiple platforms exist (visitbrasil.com, Feel Brasil with 101 experiences, Amo estar bem with 70 curated properties) but no single government-operated integrated booking system; international visitors must coordinate accommodation, treatments, and transport separately
    • Embratur's 2026 European wellness campaign targets 10 countries (Portugal, France, Spain, UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden) with trade-fair presence (WTM London, ITB Berlin, BTL Lisbon, ILTM Cannes) and Netflix partnership
    • No specialized wellness tourism transfer services; last-mile connectivity to remote destinations (Pantanal, Chapada Diamantina, Jalapão) requires multi-leg flights or private hire
    • Lei nº 14.978/2024 and CADASTUR registration provide general tourism operator compliance but lack wellness-specific practitioner certification, treatment quality standards, or retreat program certification

    Read the full Brazil report →

  12. 12 Hungary HU 3.5/5 Moderate Hungary demonstrates excellent government commitment and multiple well-coordinated destination zones that exceed Score 4 thresholds, but significant gaps in industry standardization undermine a full Good (4) rating. O... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • National Tourism Development Strategy 2030 designates health and wellness tourism as strategic priority with dedicated chapters and government agencies (Hungarian Tourism Agency under Ministry for National Economy)
    • 37 certified health resorts, 98 certified gyógyfürdő, 40 accredited health spa hotels organized across 7+ recognized destination clusters (Budapest, Hévíz, Hajdúszoboszló, Bükfürdő/Sárvár, Egerszalók, Zalakaros, Miskolc-Tapolca)
    • Only 4 EuropeSpa MED international quality certifications across 98+ certified health spas (~4% coverage), well below the 40-70% required for Score 4
    • Fragmented booking landscape relying on third-party aggregators; no centralized government-operated booking platform integrating accommodation, treatments, and transport
    • No government-operated dedicated wellness transport networks; Budapest airport connectivity expanded but private transfers to spa destinations remain costly (€265+) and not wellness-specific
    • Hungarian Tourism Agency operates regional market teams in 6+ global markets; Budapest hosted 2025 International Thermal Tourism Congress with 140+ delegates from 30 countries

    Read the full Hungary report →

  13. 13 India IN 3.5/5 Moderate India demonstrates solid government commitment with a comprehensive National Strategy and Roadmap (2022) and a dedicated National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board providing ministerial-level oversight. The NABH accr... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 12 cited points
    • National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism formulated in January 2022 with six-pillar action plan
    • National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board established with Minister of Tourism as Chairman
    • NABH accreditation standards with 84 standards and 396 objective elements for wellness centers
    • 1600+ NABH accredited hospitals demonstrating scale of quality-assured providers
    • Multiple government-supported digital platforms launched (Advantage Healthcare India portal, Incredible India Digital Platform)
    • E-medical visa extended to 156 countries; AYUSH visa available to 167 countries
    • Kerala case study: ₹13,500 crore revenue from Ayurvedic and medical value tourism in 2024 with 7.4 lakh foreign visitors
    • Sector described as 'unorganized and challenge to standardize' with inconsistent state-level standards
    • No formally designated wellness tourism zones; special economic zones still in development stages
    • Most wellness facilities operate independent booking systems with limited centralized integration
    • No dedicated wellness tourism shuttle services or coordinated ground transportation networks
    • Government acknowledges lack of dedicated wellness tourism campaign and gaps in MVT regulatory oversight

    Read the full India report →

  14. 14 Mexico MX 3.5/5 Moderate Mexico demonstrates moderate-to-good wellness tourism infrastructure with government recognition through SECTUR and multiple wellness clusters, but lacks the integrated coordination and official designations required ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • SECTUR published Tourism Sector Program 2025-2030 and Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030 recognizing wellness tourism within broader tourism policy
    • Eight integrative resort communities fully operational with three more scheduled within 24 months across multiple regions (Yucatán, Los Cabos, Costalegre)
    • Mexican Council for Medical Tourism established as non-profit to coordinate medical and wellness sectors, plus innovative community-based tourism certification (world's first)
    • No centralized wellness-specific booking platform exists; booking coordination occurs through private operators and individual resort systems rather than unified national platform
    • Mexico City Airport connects to 108 destinations in 26 countries; no specialized wellness tourism transportation networks or dedicated shuttles
    • Mexico generated over US$12 billion from wellness travel in 2023 (15% of all tourism) with strong global brand positioning through 'A World of Its Own' campaign and FITUR 2026 partnership

    Read the full Mexico report →

  15. 15 Malaysia MY 3.5/5 Moderate Malaysia has established a dedicated government framework through MHTC and published national blueprint, with specific wellness tourism regulations (MOTAC classification of 365 spas) and coordinated international mark... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025 targeting US$400 million; MYMT 2026 launched July 2025
    • KL Wellness City 26.49-acre integrated township (privately developed, 50% complete 2024) plus informal clusters in Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Penang
    • MOTAC mandatory spa classification system for 365 registered establishments; world-first Muslim-friendly spa program certifying 100 AMSPA members (27% coverage)
    • 36-42 wellness packages across 8 destinations via 12-18 partner agencies; Tourism Malaysia Health Portal with 24h virtual center
    • Malaysia Airlines Bonus Side Trip program covering 7 wellness destinations; MHTC concierge lounges at 3 airports
    • Coordinated international marketing targeting 5+ regions (ASEAN, South Asia, China, Middle East, Africa) with MYMT 2026 celebrity ambassador campaign

    Read the full Malaysia report →

  16. 16 Israel IL 3.0/5 Moderate Israel demonstrates moderate wellness tourism infrastructure development. While the government recognizes wellness as a niche tourism segment in Vision 2030 with substantial investment (over NIS 1 billion in Dead Sea ... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • Vision 2030 explicitly recognizes wellness as a niche tourism segment with government funding (NIS 230 million to 55 projects), but no standalone wellness tourism development plan published
    • Ein Bokek zone: 33 hotels with 3,865 rooms under joint governance by Israel Nature and Parks Authority and Tamar Regional Council; over NIS 1 billion invested in promenade infrastructure; expansion plans target ~9,047 new rooms
    • Israel Incoming Tour Operators Association (~100 members) explicitly includes health and beauty tourism, but no dedicated wellness tourism trade association exists; no standardized certification programs for wellness operators
    • Spa Plus operates as private aggregation platform covering multiple cities; tour operators offer integrated packages; no government-run centralized wellness booking platform exists
    • Public transit to Dead Sea: 7 bus trips daily (Jerusalem), 1-2 from Tel Aviv, suspended on Shabbat/Jewish holidays; single mountain road from Arad identified as inadequate; no dedicated wellness transport services operational
    • Dead Sea is internationally recognized brand pillar, but June 2026 'I Am Israel' campaign (₪20 million) focuses on cultural tourism, not wellness specifically

    Read the full Israel report →

  17. 17 United Kingdom GB 3.0/5 Moderate The UK demonstrates moderate wellness tourism infrastructure supported by a substantial private sector but limited government coordination. While it possesses strong booking platforms (Spabreaks.com, Wellbeing Escapes... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • No dedicated national wellness tourism development strategy; wellness embedded in general VisitBritain promotion without dedicated government agency oversight
    • Bath is sole location with formal international recognition (UNESCO Great Spa Towns of Europe, 2021); no government-designated wellness tourism zones
    • UKSA trade association with voluntary standards and Good Spa Guide's Bubble Rating system covering significant but incomplete subset of ~3,671 UK spas
    • Substantial private-sector booking platforms including Spabreaks.com (600+ destinations, 12,000+ weekly guests) and Wellbeing Escapes (20+ years), but no government-integrated centralized platform
    • Excellent general transportation connectivity to wellness destinations via rail and major airports; no dedicated wellness tourism shuttle networks
    • VisitBritain operates offices across Europe, Americas, Asia, and GCC with established international marketing presence in 3-4+ target markets, though wellness is not standalone campaign focus

    Read the full United Kingdom report →

  18. 18 Colombia CO 3.0/5 Moderate Colombia recognizes wellness tourism as a strategic segment within national policy and has invested 4 billion pesos specifically in wellness development, with strong international marketing through the País de la Bell... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 6 cited points
    • MINCIT designates wellness tourism as one of seven strategic segments in Plan Sectorial de Turismo 2022-2026, with 4 billion pesos allocated to ancestral, holistic, and thermal wellness axes
    • Three informal wellness clusters exist (Boyacá thermal corridor with 20+ thermal centers, Coffee Region, Bogotá-Cundinamarca belt) but lack formal zoning designation or coordinated infrastructure planning
    • No dedicated wellness tourism industry association; general travel (ANATO) and hotel (COTELCO) associations provide limited coordination
    • No wellness-specific NTS (Norma Técnica Sectorial) standard exists for spas, thermal facilities, or wellness retreat operations—operators subject only to general accommodation and sustainability standards
    • No centralized booking platform; international aggregators (BookRetreats: 51 listings; Tripaneer; private concierge services) fill the gap informally
    • ProColombia's País de la Belleza campaign reached 108.9 million people across 16 international markets with Termatalia 2025 hosting, but wellness is one of seven tourism segments rather than dedicated infrastructure focus

    Read the full Colombia report →

  19. 19 United States US 2.0/5 Poor The United States lacks dedicated government wellness tourism policy, coordinated destination zones, and integrated infrastructure systems. While the Wellness Tourism Association and emerging certification programs (W... Full report
    The evidence behind this score 7 cited points
    • No dedicated national wellness tourism development strategy—the 2022 National Travel and Tourism Strategy addresses general tourism but does not specifically target wellness tourism
    • Zero designated wellness tourism zones—facilities operate independently across states with only organic market-driven clustering in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and Hawaii
    • Limited industry certification coverage—WITT certified ~100 early adopter properties as of September 2024, representing a small fraction of national wellness operator base
    • Fragmented booking platforms—multiple private systems (Vacayou, Better by MTA, MedicalTourism.com) exist but no centralized government-operated coordination service
    • No wellness-specific transportation networks—general infrastructure serves destinations but no coordinated wellness tourism shuttles or multi-facility transport coordination
    • General tourism marketing only—Brand USA's 'America the Beautiful' campaign targets 9 countries with broad tourism messaging, not wellness-specific positioning
    • No dedicated wellness tourism agency or regulatory framework—Tourism Policy Council and National Travel and Tourism Office address general tourism rather than wellness-specific needs

    Read the full United States report →

Reading the field

What separates a good programme from a dangerous one

Every country above is graded against this published scale — the same 1–5 rubric for wellness tourism infrastructure, top to bottom. How we score →

  1. 5/5 Excellent

    - Comprehensive national wellness tourism strategy with dedicated government agency oversight - 3+ designated wellness tourism zones with integrated infrastructure and coordinated services - Robust industry association with standardized certification programs covering 70%+ of operators - Centralized booking platform integrating 50+ wellness facilities with multi-service packages - Specialized transportation networks serving all major wellness destinations - Strong international brand presence with coordinated marketing in 5+ target markets - Clear regulatory framework with specific wellness tourism standards and operator requirements

  2. 4/5 Good

    - Official wellness tourism policy with designated government responsibility - 1-2 established wellness tourism zones or clusters with some coordinated development - Active industry association with certification programs covering 40-70% of operators - Regional booking coordination or government-supported information platforms - Some specialized transport services connecting major wellness destinations - Established international marketing presence in 2-4 target markets - Basic regulatory framework with some wellness tourism-specific standards

  3. 3/5 Moderate

    - Wellness tourism recognized in broader tourism policy with some dedicated resources - Limited coordinated development of wellness tourism areas or informal clustering - Industry association exists but with limited coordination or voluntary standards only - Basic online information platforms but limited integrated booking services - Standard transportation serves wellness destinations but no specialized services - Some international marketing but not specifically focused on wellness tourism - General tourism regulations apply but limited wellness tourism-specific framework

  4. 2/5 Poor

    - Minimal government recognition of wellness tourism as distinct sector - No coordinated development zones; facilities operate independently - Limited industry organization or coordination among wellness tourism operators - Basic tourism information only; no specialized wellness tourism platforms - Transportation serves areas but with limited connectivity between wellness facilities - Limited international promotion and no wellness tourism-specific marketing - Unclear or inadequate regulatory framework for wellness tourism operations

  5. 1/5 Very Poor / Unavailable

    - No government policy or recognition of wellness tourism sector - No coordinated infrastructure development or designated wellness tourism areas - No industry association or coordination among wellness tourism operators - No centralized information or booking platforms for wellness tourism - Poor transportation connectivity to wellness destinations - No international marketing of wellness tourism capabilities - No regulatory framework or standards governing wellness tourism operations

The reports

The full country reports under this lens

Each destination we have assessed has a full, cited report — the detailed analysis behind its score. The verdict is free; the report is the depth.

Clinics & providers

The clinics our research names

Named hospitals, clinics and centres cited across these findings — each carrying the specialties our reports record. Follow one to the reports behind it.

References

The sources behind these assessments

The distinct sources cited across these published reports — every finding carries its own citations; this is the union, each linking back to the reports that lean on it.

  1. Untitled source www.indiahealthcaretourism.com Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in India
  2. Untitled source www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uae-wellness-economy-surges-to-34-1-billion-the-largest-in-the-middle-east-new-global-wellness-institute-report-reveals-302577934.html Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in United Arab Emirates
  3. Untitled source assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmgsites/in/pdf/2025/07/heal-in-india-catalysing-medical-and-wellness-tourism-for-a-healthier-global-future.pdf Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in India
  4. Untitled source bangkokhealthservice.com Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Thailand
  5. Untitled source boutiquetravelexperts.com/mexico/travel-essentials Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  6. Untitled source brandingforum.org/news/unveiled-mexico-tourism-board Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  7. Untitled source cmtm-mexico.com/en Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  8. Untitled source cmtm-mexico.com/en/medical-tourism Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  9. Untitled source cmtm-mexico.com/en/who-we-are Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  10. Untitled source colombiaone.com/2024/12/07/wellness-tourism-colombia Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Colombia
  11. Untitled source elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_mobile/viewer.do?hseq=28355&type=sogan&key=8 Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  12. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism_in_South_Korea Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  13. Untitled source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretariat_of_Tourism Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  14. Untitled source english.seoul.go.kr/top-100-beauty-and-wellness-destinations-are-introduced-where-tourists-can-rest-refresh-and-rejuvenate-in-seoul Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  15. Untitled source english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?menuSn=923&dataSetId=131&vcontsId=248839 Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  16. Untitled source english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/thingsToDo/subWellnessKorea.do Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  17. Untitled source english.visitseoul.net/partners-en/medical-tourism Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea
  18. Untitled source fineupclinic.com/blog/health-tourism-statistics-in-turkey-2024 Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Turkey
  19. Untitled source globalwellnessinstitute.org/geography-of-wellness/wellness-in-the-united-arab-emirates Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in United Arab Emirates
  20. Untitled source globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2024/03/25/a-decade-of-wellness-tourism-first-ever-compilation-of-10-years-of-market-data Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in United States
  21. Untitled source globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/global-wellness-tourism-economy Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in United States
  22. Untitled source go-well.mx/en/magazine/wellness-pulse/mexico-2026-a-defining-year-for-tourism-and-wellness Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Mexico
  23. Untitled source healthyturkiye.com Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Turkey
  24. Untitled source invest.bangkok.go.th/blog/bangkok-a-wellness-hub-on-the-rise Cited in Wellness Tourism Infrastructure in Thailand

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