Medical and health tourism is experiencing increasing demand worldwide. As a result, the medical and health tourism segment at ITB Berlin is recording significant and dynamic growth. At the world's largest travel trade fair, which will be held at the Berlin exhibition centre from 4 to 6 March 2025, exhibitors from all over the world will present their innovative products and services in the medical and health tourism pavilion, which is now located in Hall 4.1.
Clinics, hospitals, hotels, destinations and event organisers invite trade visitors to learn about the latest trends and developments in medical and health tourism. Exhibitors and partners include the Croatian Chamber of Economy, medical travel providers, clinics from Turkey and Germany, including Kliniken Maria Hilf Möchengladbach, as well as international partners such as the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA), the European Spa Association (ESPA) and the Health Tourism Industry (HTI). The exhibition area also features a meeting hall for networking and an extensive programme on the Medical and Health Tourism Stage.
Full programme on the Medical and Health Tourism stage and at the ITB Convention in Berlin.
The Medical & Health Tourism Stage, which will take place daily from 10:00 to 17:00, will focus on interesting presentations, panel discussions, product launches and expert interviews on best practices at destinations that have established themselves in the medical tourism market. Discussions on topics such as "Thermal destinations facing climate change and sustainability" and wellness trends in medical tourism will provide valuable market insights for trade visitors, buyers, agencies and media.
Within the framework of the event entitled “Demographic changes: new concepts in health and longevity tourism, the role of health tourism promotion, thermal springs and climatic resorts”, leading figures from the industry, such as Olga Gončarova (CEO of Lithuania Travel), Martin Plachý (CEO of Royal Spa) and Frank Halmos (CEO of Ensana Hotels), will discuss innovative approaches to demographic change. Csilla Mezösi (Secretary General of the European Spa Association) will moderate the event.
In parallel with the growing importance of medical tourism, Düsseldorf is emerging as a centre for this market. Dimitri Belov (Director of Health Marketing at Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH) will provide interesting insights into the city's strategies.
In an inspiring keynote address, Professor Diana Cuevas (President of the World Medical Tourism Council) will explain why medical tourism is becoming an indispensable part of the international hospitality industry.
Bulgaria is positioning itself as a leading destination for affordable luxury and natural wellness experiences. Miroslav Borshosh (Bulgarian Minister of Tourism) and Dr. Siyka Katsarova (President of the Bulgarian Union of Balneology and Spa Tourism) will show how the country is making its spa tourism even more attractive.
Accredited journalists can take advantage of special events to gain first-hand information. Following the opening of the Medical and Health Tourism Pavilion on 4 March at 12.30 p.m., media representatives will be able to network with exhibitors at the Medical and Health Tourism Media Reception, sponsored for the first time by Visit Düsseldorf. The media reception on 4 March offers the opportunity to exchange ideas with industry players in an exclusive setting.
At the end of the first day (4 March), trade visitors will be able to network with exhibitors in a relaxed atmosphere at the Medical and Health Networking Reception in the Medical and Health Pavilion from 5:00 p.m.
The ITB Medical Night will take place on Wednesday 5 March. The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the ITB Medical Tourism Award, which will be awarded by an international jury of experts, as well as the ITB Health Tourism Award, which is being presented for the first time this year. This year's awards go to Turkey and Lithuania. The event will start at 19:00.
On 6 March at the ITB Berlin Convention, the session entitled Body and Mind: Transformative Hospitality will examine how the hospitality industry is redefining itself in the medical, health and wellness market. In a panel discussion featuring Dr. Prem Jagyasi (MD and CEO of Dr. Prem and Associates, India) and moderated by Thomas Bömkes (ITB Medical and Health Tourism Advisor, Diversity Tourism GmbH) and Valentina Clerque (EHL Campus Lusanne), innovative approaches and concepts will be presented that will show how the hospitality industry can become a successful player in destinations focused on medical and wellness tourism.
Source: ITB Berlin.