Focus on the international development of Greek Medical Tourism
G. Patoulis from the 2nd Arab-Greek Conference on Health: "Greece can develop into a global center for Health, Wellness and Longevity - ELITOUR builds bridges of cooperation with the Arab world and attracts high added value investments"
In 2nd Arab-Greek Conference on Health, which took place today at the hotel Divani Caravel Athens, the President of the Athens Medical Association and President of the Greek Health Tourism Council (ELITOUR), George Patoulis, participated as guest speaker for the second year, confirming the decisive role played by Greece and ELITOUR in the development of cooperative relations between Greece and Arab countries in the field of health and medical tourism. From the podium of the Conference, he highlighted the great prospects of the country as an international hub for Health, Wellness and Longevity Tourism, underlining the strategic importance of extroversion, international collaborations and attracting investments in the health sector.
Mr. Patoulis participated in the high-level panel of the opening session on the topic: «Roadmap for Cooperation in the Health Sector between Arabs and Greeks» (Roadmap for Cooperation in the Health Sector between Arabs and Greeks), coordinated by Dr. Nimer Shaheen, Professor of Surgery, in Greece and their interlocutors, Dr. Emad Abdulaziz Al Thukair, CEO of Interhealth Medical Company, Canada, Dr. Faleh Mohamed Forwards, Senior Public Health Advisor and Advisor to the Minister of Public Health of Qatar, Dr. Rafea Ibrahim Al Narrator, CEO of The Modern Company for Drug Industry, CEO of Al-Andalus Private Hospital and President of the Iraqi Private Hospitals Association.
During his speech, the President of ELITOUR presented the strategic vision for transforming Greece into an integrated “Greece Health Hub”, pointing out that the country has unique comparative advantages: high-level medical and scientific personnel, modern health infrastructure, a globally recognized tourism product, an excellent natural environment and a competitive quality-cost ratio.
He made particular reference to the decisive role of ELITE TOUR, which works systematically to promote Greece as a leading Health and Wellness Tourism destination, creating a strong ecosystem that numbers more than 150 members from the health, tourism and entrepreneurship sectors.
Mr. Patoulis emphasized that Greece can play a leading role internationally in sectors such as in vitro fertilization, aesthetic and plastic medicine, rehabilitation, dialysis, ophthalmological treatments, dental tourism, but also modern services Medical Wellness, Anti-Aging and Longevity, which constitute the new global trend in the field of health.
From the podium of the Conference, Mr. Patoulis emphasized that:
"My participation, for the second year, as an invited speaker at the Arab-Greek Conference on Health, is a special honor and at the same time recognition of the momentum that our country is developing in the field of Health - Wellness Tourism, as well as the international presence and work of Elitour. We continue to consistently build strong bridges of cooperation with the Arab world and the international community, attracting high-value-added investments, creating new jobs and opportunities for young Greek scientists. Our goal is to elevate Greece to a leading international destination for Health, Wellness and Longevity, leveraging the excellent scientific potential, modern infrastructure and unique comparative advantages of our homeland."
Within the framework of the conference, the President of Elitour and ISA held particularly important working meetings with the Dr. Emad Abdulaziz Al-Thukair from Canada as well as representatives of government, business and health institutions from Qatar, Iraq and other countries in the Arab world.
During the meetings, the possibilities of attracting investments in hospital infrastructure, rehabilitation centers, wellness units and longevity services were examined, as well as the development of new synergies that can make Greece a reference point for patients and visitors from the Middle East, North Africa and international markets.
Particular emphasis was also placed on the need to create a strong health ecosystem that will contribute to the return of young Greek doctors and scientists working abroad, to the utilization of the country's high-level human resources and to the creation of new quality jobs in the sectors of health, research, innovation and tourism.
