Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

In his speech, Mahmut Özgener, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, noted that health tourism has become a strategic field that is growing rapidly worldwide and where competition is intensifying.

Noting that Türkiye has seen significant growth in the medical tourism market in recent years, Özgener said, “İzmir is a city that attracts patients from Europe in the fields of medical tourism, such as cosmetic surgery, hair transplants, and dental treatments. In thermal tourism, we stand out not only because of our current capacity but also due to a vast wealth of resources that have yet to be fully tapped. In terms of wellness tourism and senior tourism, our city’s climate, quality of life, and safe urban environment provide a significant advantage, particularly for extended stays and treatment processes,” he said.

Özgener noted that İzmir possesses the advantages needed to establish an ecosystem in medical tourism, thanks to its qualified human resources and culture of collaboration.

Özgener, emphasizing that targeted promotional activities should support healthcare institutions’ international accreditation processes, stated: “We need to transform İnciraltı—which has been debated for many years from various angles and recently lost its status as a tourism hub—from an underutilized area into a strategic transformation project that will shape İzmir’s future. We believe it is possible to establish a Health Tourism Valley model centered on İnciraltı in İzmir. Planning İnciraltı in line with this model means creating a new-generation destination where healthcare services are provided, advanced technology and R&D are developed, international patients are accommodated, and a high quality of life is offered. Because, if properly leveraged, we believe İnciraltı will serve as a catalyst to propel İzmir into the global league of medical tourism.”

- The İzmir Advantage in Medical Tourism

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Öztan, Chairman of the TOBB Türkiye International Medical Tourism Council, stated that their goal is to meet with sector stakeholders to identify regional needs and develop solutions in collaboration with the public sector.

Emphasizing that health tourism has become a global sector and that a quality-focused approach has gained importance, Öztan noted that İzmir has achieved remarkable growth by increasing its share in this field from 1% to 5%.

Noting that while there has been a decline nationwide, İzmir has continued its upward trend, Öztan highlighted that the city is a key destination that combines healthcare services with a quality living experience.

Öztan noted that İzmir stands out for its robust healthcare infrastructure, advanced diagnostic capabilities, and high-capacity treatment centers, adding that 63% of healthcare institutions in the Aegean Region are located in İzmir.

- Tugay Highlighted Senior Tourism

İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Dr. Cemil Tugay emphasized that security and oversight are of great importance for the development of both general tourism and medical tourism in Türkiye. 

Noting that efforts in this field must be addressed with a comprehensive approach, Tugay highlighted that İzmir and the Aegean Region possess significant potential, particularly in terms of third-age tourism targeting the elderly population.

Tugay stated that İzmir must prepare to host visitors from all over the world, adding that it is essential for all stakeholders to work together toward this goal.

In the sessions held following the speeches, discussions focused on health tourism and public strategies in the Aegean region and İzmir, as well as the potential in this field. During the workshop organized as part of the program, assessments were made regarding medical tourism, health tourism infrastructure, wellness and thermal tourism, digitalization, and legislation. The program was attended by industry representatives, public officials, and academics.