Why I Chose Medical Tourism for My New Startup

Last fall, during a family vacation in Alanya, Turkey, I decided to finally address my long-standing dental issues by seeking treatment abroad. I spent about two weeks researching clinics — reading reviews, watching videos, and contacting several providers — before finding a clinic that felt trustworthy and professional. The quality of work exceeded my expectations, and I was very satisfied with the results.

Choosing the right dentist was crucial because medical care is not just about aesthetics but about health. Mistakes in dental treatments can lead to serious complications. I carefully verified the qualifications of the doctors and the reputation of the clinic. Besides the excellent quality, I was impressed by the high level of service, modern equipment, and prices that were about half of what I would have paid back home.

This experience revealed a significant gap in the market: there is no simple, reliable platform that helps patients quickly find and book trusted medical providers abroad. As a marketer, I immediately saw the potential to create such a service.

I shared this idea with a friend in Silicon Valley while still on vacation, and he was very supportive. After discussing it with other friends, I realized this was a promising business opportunity.

After further research, I decided to focus on Turkey as the initial market. I understand this market well, and Turkey is one of the world’s largest hubs for medical tourism, especially in cities like Istanbul and Antalya. For European patients, Turkey is a top destination for aesthetic medical procedures such as dentistry, hair transplants, and plastic surgery. For Americans, Mexico often plays a similar role.

My goal is to build a platform that simplifies the search and booking process for patients seeking aesthetic medical tourism. I created product mockups, found a developer, and started building a minimum viable product (MVP). At the same time, I began reaching out to clinics to establish partnerships.

Medical tourism is a booming industry with huge potential, but it requires careful attention to quality, trust, and patient experience. By focusing on a clear niche and a well-understood market, I aim to provide real value to patients and clinics alike.

If you have experience in medical tourism or insights on launching startups in this field, I’d love to hear your thoughts and advice. Let’s discuss!