A Narrative Review on Iran’s Medical Tourism Growth and its Global Positioning

Health tourism has emerged as both a lucrative industry and a strategic way for countries to attract international visitors. Among its various branches, medical tourism plays a particularly important role in shaping the growth of the broader tourism sector. In recent years, Iran has become a key destination for medical travelers in the Middle East, drawing an increasing number of foreign patients seeking quality healthcare services. This narrative review explores the growth of medical tourism in Iran, analyzing the factors contributing to its rise and the country’s position within the global landscape. The review begins by discussing the broader concept of health tourism, emphasizing medical tourism as a vital subfield., then turns to the specific motivations driving patients to choose Iran, as well as the distinctive features of the country’s medical tourism landscape. It also presents relevant statistical insights and assesses how this growing sector contributes to the vitality of Iran’s overall tourism industry. The review concludes by highlighting the challenges faced by Iran’s medical tourism sector, such as infrastructure limitations and competition from other destinations, while suggesting strategic measures to enhance its global positioning. The findings underscore Iran’s potential to significantly contribute to the global medical tourism market with targeted investment and systematic development.