With the cost of health care being what it is in the United States, its no surprise that many Americans are looking for a more affordable option. This option is being grown right here in the Caribbean as many countries are now tapping into health tourism. Health tourism is the practice of travelling to another country to take advantage of medical procedures not offered or offered for less money than they are at home.
Jamaica is one country leading the way in health tourism with the recent completion of the Hospiten Montego Bay, private hospital facility. The $2.3 billion state of the art facility was built specifically for the tourism industry and serves as a model for other countries. The facility was funded by the Spanish owned group, Hospiten.
Health tourism is just one more innovative idea which is diversifying economies throughout the Caribbean, bringing jobs and investment to countries outside of the traditional tourism sector.