What is one of the defining characteristics of medical tourism?

Medical tourism is characterized primarily by travel that is undertaken specifically to obtain medical services. This can include a wide range of health-related purposes, such as seeking surgery, dental work, or other medical treatments that may be more affordable or specialized in another country.

This type of travel often arises due to factors such as high healthcare costs in the traveler’s home country, the availability of advanced medical technology and services abroad, or shorter waiting times for treatments.

While recreational activities, educational conferences, and cultural exploration are important aspects of travel, they do not define medical tourism. Medical tourism is solely focused on health and medical services, making it distinct from other forms of travel.