Healthcare tourism Dubai versus London Research Paper

Healthcare tourism Dubai versus London - Research Paper Example Market Penetration Market experts have predicted a massive projection in the market share of Dubai in the global medical tourism market. It has been reported that in 2010, the total value of the medical tourism industry was to shoot up seven percent in comparison with 2009. It was expected that the total value of the market by the end of 2010 would be Dh 6.1 Billion. Further, in 2014, the government approved the Dubai Medical Tourism Strategy. This suggests the dedicated aggressive marketing done by the industry to have increased presence in the market. It is interesting to note that in the initial years of establishment of the concept of medical tourism, UAE was considered more as a consumer than a service provider. The paradigm shift in the scenario suggests market penetration as an intensive strategy. â€Å"The healthcare services market in the GCC is expected to grow from AED 66 billion (US $18 billion) in 2008 to AED 175-202 billion (US $47-55 billion) by 2020† . Market Development It has been reported that in 2010, Dubai Health Authority entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Medical Tourism partners across the globe to fortify Dubai’s presence as major medical tourism destination. Dubai hosted the Medical Tourism Congress in 2011. These steps could be analyzed as market development intensive strategies of the Dubai medical tourism industry. There has been substantial improvement in healthcare infrastructure and technology and focused changes in the policies and regulations so as to comply with the market development strategies. Dubai has an investment friendly environment. It has established Health Care Free Zones (Tax free trade zones) and Health Cities.