Eco-medical tourism: can it be sustainable?

Abstract

Medical tourism has gained popularity over the past few years. While its roots may be found in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages with visits to mineral springs around the Mediterranean, current medical tourism is more likely to be driven by patients seeking less expensive medical procedures in eastern Europe, southeast Asia, and Latin America. This paper explores the role of medical tourism in Costa Rica, a country better known as a premier ecotourism destination. In this exploratory study, the question of sustainability is raised.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium

Citation

Bristow, Robert S. 2009. Eco-medical tourism: can it be sustainable?. In: Klenosky, David B.; Fisher, Cherie LeBlanc, eds. Proceedings of the 2008 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2008 March 30 - April 1; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-42. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 158-164.