Medical Tourism Association® Establishes Partnership in Portugal to Promote Health Tourism

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Feb. 11, 2015 - PRLog -- Looking to capitalize on old-world charm, sandy beaches and the European Directive on cross-border healthcare, an international expert in healthcare management and marketing has partnered with the Medical Tourism Association® to establish a joint Chapter Program in Portugal to raise awareness of the high level of health and wellness services available along the western-most region in Europe.

“More international medical travelers need to know that Portugal has one of the best health systems in Europe,” said Paulo Moreira, editor-in-chief of the London-based International Journal of Healthcare Management and a Lisbon-based consultant who will oversee the chapter. “Portugal has long been recognized worldwide as a popular tourism destination. What many tourists don’t know is that Portugal also boasts established medical infrastructure in both the private and public sectors staffed by highly educated professionals who are fluent in multiple languages.”

Renée-Marie Stephano, president of the Medical Tourism Association® (http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/en/index.html), said strong investor interest and the free movement of European citizens to access healthcare services within EU member nations has buoyed government leaders to lean on the medical tourism industry to finesse Portugal’s sluggish economy.

“By creating this MTA chapter -- a central point of reference for new and existing medical tourism entrepreneurs -- Portugal can become a prime destination for medical tourism,” said Stephano. “This endeavor will, at the same time, create jobs, develop medical infrastructure, educate healthcare professionals, and provide enhanced procedures and treatments to communities in the region.”

Stephano said the Medical Tourism Association® will work specifically with MTA Portugal to provide strategic, operational and educational support to develop certificate and training programs for hospitals, patient specialists and medical tourism marketing professionals.

About Medical Tourism Association®
The Medical Tourism Association® is the first membership-based international nonprofit trade organization for the medical tourism and healthcare industry made up of top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliates committed to promoting the highest level of quality healthcare to patients in a global environment. www.MedicalTourismAssociation.com