Industry faces pressure to invest in medical tourism
The call for Kenya’s tourism sector is underto diversify into medical tourism is growing with experts highlighting the need to expand the industry and attract more international visitors.
The push aims to increase tourist arrivals from 1.5 million in 2022 and two million in 2023 to over 2.5 million.
Patrick Bucha, Tourism Secretary emphasised the untapped potential of medical tourism and highlighted the need to diversify the country’s tourism offerings beyond the traditional beach and safari experiences.
“I was very impressed by some hospitals in other parts of the world and their highly integrated approach,” Bucha said at the Kenya Association of Travel Agents Annual Travel Convention and General Meeting in Mombasa where he represented Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua.
He said such hospitals collaborate closely with airlines and travel agents to manage patient logistics, noting that many people travel from Africa to India for treatment in top-notch hospitals.
“One hospital I visited demonstrated an exemplary model: They work with airlines to book flights for patients, co-ordinate with hotels for accommodation, and even offer tourism products for accompanying family members.”
Dedicated desk
Bucha recounted how these hospitals ensure that patients and their families are well taken care of throughout their stay.
“They have a dedicated desk at the airport to receive patients, transport them to hotels and hospitals, and organise activities for those accompanying them. This integrated system ensures a seamless experience for all involved,” he explained.
Recognising the need to adopt a similar approach in Kenya, Bucha said there were ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive medical tourism strategy in collaboration with Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) and other stakeholders.
“This is a challenge we must tackle, and with the support of Kenya Airways and other airlines, we can attract patients from abroad. Our country boasts some of the best hospitals globally, and we must leverage this to diversify our tourism sector,” he asserted.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the initiative, seeing it as a promising new market for both local and international tourists.
“Medical tourism is an idea whose time has come. It’s good that it has come from the government’s side because it is something that people probably individually have been thinking about but not sure how to execute,” said Lilian Yahuma the Managing Director of Kendirita Tours and Travel.
“So now that the government has mentioned it, it is something for us who curate or put together itineraries to implement and make it a reality. It’s about partnering with hospitals, getting the right products and taking them out.”
Kenya Airways CEO Alan Kilavuka called for investment in aviation infrastructure, expressing concerns about the Open Skies policy’s potential impact on the national carrier. He underscored the critical role of aviation in economic development, especially in Africa.
“Aviation supports over 65.5 million jobs worldwide and contributes $2.7 trillion to global GDP,” Kilavuka noted, citing International Air Transport Association (IATA) data. “In Africa, aviation supports 6.2 million jobs and contributes $55.8 billion to GDP annually.”
Economic growth
Kilavuka highlighted the direct correlation between air connectivity and economic growth, noting that a 10 percent increase in air connectivity leads to a 0.5 percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita for developing countries.
He stressed the importance of investing in aviation infrastructure, which has a multiplier effect on economic activity, job creation, and foreign investment.
“Investments in aviation infrastructure yield significant economic benefits. For every $1 invested, there is a return of $3.20 in GDP over 20 years,” Kilavuka added.
