DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH TOURISM IN TURKEY AND THE WORLD: A COMPILATION IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Health tourism is a rapidly growing sector, where individuals travel across borders for treatment, prevention, and recovery, significantly influenced by globalization and the development of transportation opportunities. Rising healthcare costs and the increasing demand for access to high-quality healthcare services have made health tourism an important economic activity globally. This process presents significant economic opportunities, particularly for developing countries, while also creating a platform that strengthens cultural interactions and international health networks. Turkey has emerged as one of the leading countries in health tourism due to its geographic location, qualified healthcare professionals, affordable treatment costs, and government-supported incentives. In recent years, investments and improving infrastructure have positioned Turkey as an attractive center for medical tourism, thermal tourism, and treatments requiring advanced technology. However, for the sector to grow sustainably, it is crucial to improve international quality standards, address infrastructure deficiencies, and strengthen strategic marketing approaches. This review aims to examine the development of health tourism from a social sciences perspective, analyzing both the current status of the sector and its areas for development, along with its economic and societal impacts.