Medical tourism in focus: Baku hosts global experts for two-day forum

Baku is hosting the international conference “Health Tourism 2025: Promising Directions of Medical and Recreational Tourism,” organised by the State Tourism Agency, Caliber.Az correspondent reports from the scene.

The event brings together approximately 250 participants, including industry experts, representatives of state bodies, sanatoriums, medical and health centres, and specialists from Turkey, Hungary, Thailand, Great Britain, China, and Germany.

The conference focuses on international cooperation and the development prospects of health and medical tourism in Azerbaijan.

As part of the two-day event, an exhibition of medical institutions operating in the field of health and recreational tourism was organised. Around 40 local sanatoriums, resorts, medical rehabilitation and spa centres, hospitals and clinics, along with international partner companies, presented their services and products.

The program also included B2B meetings, enabling discussions on joint cooperation and partnership development.

The conference featured two panel sessions:

1. “Integration of Global Trends in Recreational Tourism: Creating a Competitive Model in Azerbaijan”

2. “Development of Medical Tourism in Azerbaijan: International Standards, Certification, and Strategic Partnerships”

During the panels, participants discussed the formation of a recreational tourism model in Azerbaijan, integration of international experience, and strategies to increase industry competitiveness. Topics included standards of thermal and spa therapy, certification of tourist destinations, and staff training.

Additionally, the conference addressed issues related to medical tourism development, including international accreditation, effective interaction between healthcare and tourism sectors, strengthening institutional capacity, adherence to ethical medical practices, and ensuring sustainable growth in the industry.

By Tamilla Hasanova