An important venue was established to discuss the future of the medical tourism industry. On March 31, the ‘2026 Medical Travel Korea Medical Tourism Conference’ was held in Jung-gu, Seoul. Over 300 officials from major organizations and companies, including the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the Korea Medical Tourism Association, Google Korea, and HanaTour ITC, attended. Participants focused on illuminating key agendas of the medical tourism industry.
Medical Tourism Conference Successfully Held
Medical Travel Korea (MTK), operated by Redtable, hosted the ‘2026 Medical Travel Korea Medical Tourism Conference’ on March 31, on the 4th floor of the Seoul Tourism Organization building in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event successfully concluded with over 300 stakeholders from the medical tourism industry, including hospitals, MSOs, tourism companies, and startups, in attendance.
This conference addressed key issues required in the practical field of medical tourism, divided into five areas: policy, collaboration, customers, services, and payment. It garnered attention for showcasing the comprehensive collaborative structure of the medical tourism industry, with participation from various entities ranging from government-affiliated organizations to industry associations, global platforms, travel companies, medical service providers, and financial/payment companies.
Discussion on Policy and Industry Challenges
In the first session, Hong Seung-wook, Head of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, presented an analysis of medical tourism in 2025 and projections for 2026, based on medical tourism policies and data. Subsequently, Kim Jin-kook, President of the Korea Medical Tourism Association and CEO of B&Viit Eye Clinic, offered insights on the future direction, presenting challenges and alternatives for the medical tourism industry.
Park Won-hee, Team Manager, and Ahn Deok-soo, Division Head of Grand Korea Leisure (Seven Luck Casino), introduced strategies for building a K-Medical Tourism hub and co-prosperity, focusing on the potential for collaboration between casino customers and hospitals. Jo Seung-hee, Manager at Google Korea, explained how to utilize Google ads in the medical tourism sector and integrate the ‘Reserve with Google’ feature to enhance advertising effectiveness.
Strategies for Customer Acquisition and Service Advancement
Subsequent presentations focused on strategies for customer acquisition and service advancement. Lee Su-jeong, Team Manager at Nollyuniverse (Yanolja), introduced opportunities that global strategies can offer to the medical tourism industry.
Lee Je-woo, CEO of HanaTour ITC, shared strategies for attracting foreign travelers, while Kang Heung-rim, Vice President of Atium, an MSO of Rhee & Jang, presented hospital marketing know-how. Choi Young-jun, CEO of K-Medi Guide, emphasized the professionalism and importance of specialized medical interpretation and translation services.
In-depth Analysis of Financial and Payment Infrastructure
In the latter part of the event, financial and payment infrastructure, which is growing in importance within the medical tourism industry, was addressed as a key agenda. Woori Bank introduced a medical tourism membership program being prepared with Medical Travel Korea, explaining a financial model that can process deposits, reservation fees, and medical expenses all at once.
Toss Payments introduced the concept of PG (Payment Gateway) along with the advantages and expected effects of using international payment systems in the medical tourism sector. The program also included content related to overseas medical expense remittance methods and benefits, and international payment methods and benefits.
Sharing Market Insights and Future Expectations
Do Hae-yong, CEO of Medical Travel Korea, delivered a presentation on foreign customer consultation and preparation strategies for AI services, sharing profound market insights based on accumulated field experience.
Medical Travel Korea expressed its hope that this conference would serve as a crucial opportunity for hospital practitioners and industry stakeholders to share their field experiences and opinions, collaboratively shaping the practical direction of medical tourism.
This conference featured a diverse program including an opening ceremony, session presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. Held from 2:00 PM to 5:20 PM, the event facilitated in-depth discussions covering the entire medical tourism industry, including sharing market outlooks, guiding policy changes, and strategies for attracting global patients.
