Baku set to host international health tourism forum in October

Baku will host a major health tourism conference in October, aiming to highlight the country’s growing medical tourism sector and attract international participants.

Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, made the announcement on the second day of the 1st Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF’25), Caliber.Az correspondent reports from the scene.

“Last year, the health tourism conference was held in Shusha. This year, it will be held in Baku in October, and everyone is invited,” Sengstschmid said.

He emphasised that medical tourism has significant potential and could become one of the key drivers of tourist flow to Azerbaijan. Sengstschmid also highlighted that the country is already promoting health tourism in Naftalan.

“To develop health tourism, it is necessary to prepare an action plan for the State Agency for Tourism in collaboration with the Association for the Management of Medical Territorial Units of Azerbaijan (TƏBİB),” he said.

Sengstschmid stressed that the development process will involve both government bodies and the private sector to ensure successful outcomes. “Along with this action plan, we will work not only with the government but also with the private sector to successfully achieve our goals,” he added.

He further noted that establishing a regulatory framework, conducting global accreditation for medical tourism, and developing new business models — including addressing transport and logistics issues — are essential steps for advancing the sector.

By Tamilla Hasanova