Health Tourism: It's Another Exciting Reason to Visit the Caribbean

The international community has always flocked to the Caribbean for repose, enjoying its tranquillity and warmth. Although any time is a good time to visit our region, our islands are usually busy through Europe and North America’s cold months. Hundreds converge on the Caribbean peninsula to bask in the sun during that period. Our coasts are dotted with colourful beach umbrellas and lounging bodies seeking the perfect golden tan.

Outside such times, the territory also hosts an influx of visitors for its various food, music and sailing festivals, carnivals, and other cultural extravaganzas. This crowd is somewhat different from those mentioned earlier. Rather than one-time visitors, these usually comprise dedicated participants or newbies (or, as the Trinis call fondly call them, ‘banwagonists’). They are either returning nationals or those who, having experienced our people's warmth, light-heartedness and excitement, cannot help but return each year.

Medical Tourism

Yet, a new category of travellers is coming to our shores: medical or health tourists. Yes, health tourism is on the rise in many of the islands. That may surprise some because, typically, people opt to travel to the more developed countries for medical treatment. This choice is prompted by international facilities providing greater access to state-of-the-art facilities and specialised professionals in conventional medical care. At least, that has been the case, traditionally.

However, a change is underway, with the Caribbean becoming an ideal locale for affordable healthcare and wellness experiences. For example, Barbados, Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands are known for their modern medical facilities. Also, several prominent and accredited medical universities can be found on various islands. There is St. George’s University of Medicine in Grenada and Ross University School of Medicine, with its main campus in Barbados. Additionally, the Dutch islands draw thousands of students each year to Sint Maarten’s American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and Saba University School of Medicine.

Holistic and Wellness Experiences

Still, another major element of health tourism that is growing in appeal is the increasing opportunity for holistic care and wellness experiences. Alternative medicines and practices are deeply entrenched in Caribbean culture. The tropical climate has always boasted an abundance of plants and herbs, which today can still be, for the most part, easily accessed. Our elders relied more on herbal or ‘bush’ medicine than conventional treatments. Although this preference has waned in the face of modern medicine, many are returning to it, and visitors travel to the islands looking for alternative options that safely work alongside medical treatments.  

Furthermore, with nationals returning to their home islands as trained professionals, the region is a developing hub for various complementary medical fields. Reflexology, osteopathy, kinesiology, massage therapy, aesthetic medicine and chiropractic care are just a few services available from north to south. As a result, numerous visitors ensure they take advantage of the wellness treatments before departing. The draw is that they get the experience at a competitive rate from highly skilled professionals.

Here are 10 complementary medicine and wellness clinics in the region:

• Bambu Wellness Center
• Emerald Serenity Day Spa
• Grenada Osteopathic Clinic
• Imagine Clinic
• Journeys Health Spa
• Nirvana Natural Health Clinic
• Procare Therapy and Wellness Centre
• Pure Essence Spa
• The Rehab Center
• Viana Healing Center

Sources: CARICOM and William Russell.