The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece
Abstract Background For many people, the need for parenthood remains unfulfilled due to biological reasons and a remedy for these individuals is assisted reproduction (AR). Because of widely differing and sometimes incompatible legislations around the world related to AR, there is considerable confu...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2017-06-01
|
| Series: | Global Health Research and Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41256-017-0037-8 |
| _version_ | 1828342917728567296 |
|---|---|
| author | Anastasia Paraskou Babu P. George |
| author_facet | Anastasia Paraskou Babu P. George |
| author_sort | Anastasia Paraskou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background For many people, the need for parenthood remains unfulfilled due to biological reasons and a remedy for these individuals is assisted reproduction (AR). Because of widely differing and sometimes incompatible legislations around the world related to AR, there is considerable confusion across national borders. Within Europe, Greece seems to be in a comparatively favorable position because of lower restrictions and the availability of decent quality specialized medical facilities. This research is a market study with a business perspective and explores the emerging landscape of reproductive tourism (RT) in Greece. Methods The research adopted mixed methods. First, open-ended questions were used to interview foreign medical tourists and staff in various AR clinics. Based on the insights from these interviews and guided by the extent literature, a survey instrument was prepared and administered among 130 patients. Results Findings indicate that Greece still lack policies that nurture transparency and dynamic response to technological changes in AR. Also, the travel industry lack specialists who can effectively liaison with clinics, who understand the availability of AR technologies, regulations, and the unique needs of AR tourists. Conclusions Globally, the need for assisted reproduction has tremendously increased; yet, the supply of facilities is lagging far behind. There is a unique advantage for clinics located in touristic locations in countries that offer cheaper treatment options. Given the shape of its debt-ridden economy, Greece needs foreign exchange inflows and gaining first mover advantage in reproductive tourism is probably an important way to achieve this. This research draws up a reproductive tourism strategy for Greece. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:35:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a79eb31fc7a2441ab45731105dce0cd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2397-0642 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T23:35:37Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Health Research and Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-a79eb31fc7a2441ab45731105dce0cd12022-12-22T02:24:46ZengBMCGlobal Health Research and Policy2397-06422017-06-012111210.1186/s41256-017-0037-8The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to GreeceAnastasia Paraskou0Babu P. George1CROSSBEES Healthcare ConsultancyFort Hays State UniversityAbstract Background For many people, the need for parenthood remains unfulfilled due to biological reasons and a remedy for these individuals is assisted reproduction (AR). Because of widely differing and sometimes incompatible legislations around the world related to AR, there is considerable confusion across national borders. Within Europe, Greece seems to be in a comparatively favorable position because of lower restrictions and the availability of decent quality specialized medical facilities. This research is a market study with a business perspective and explores the emerging landscape of reproductive tourism (RT) in Greece. Methods The research adopted mixed methods. First, open-ended questions were used to interview foreign medical tourists and staff in various AR clinics. Based on the insights from these interviews and guided by the extent literature, a survey instrument was prepared and administered among 130 patients. Results Findings indicate that Greece still lack policies that nurture transparency and dynamic response to technological changes in AR. Also, the travel industry lack specialists who can effectively liaison with clinics, who understand the availability of AR technologies, regulations, and the unique needs of AR tourists. Conclusions Globally, the need for assisted reproduction has tremendously increased; yet, the supply of facilities is lagging far behind. There is a unique advantage for clinics located in touristic locations in countries that offer cheaper treatment options. Given the shape of its debt-ridden economy, Greece needs foreign exchange inflows and gaining first mover advantage in reproductive tourism is probably an important way to achieve this. This research draws up a reproductive tourism strategy for Greece.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41256-017-0037-8Medical tourismReproductive tourismAssisted reproductionCompetitionStrategyGreece |
| spellingShingle | Anastasia Paraskou Babu P. George The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece Global Health Research and Policy Medical tourism Reproductive tourism Assisted reproduction Competition Strategy Greece |
| title | The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece |
| title_full | The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece |
| title_fullStr | The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece |
| title_short | The market for reproductive tourism: an analysis with special reference to Greece |
| title_sort | market for reproductive tourism an analysis with special reference to greece |
| topic | Medical tourism Reproductive tourism Assisted reproduction Competition Strategy Greece |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41256-017-0037-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT anastasiaparaskou themarketforreproductivetourismananalysiswithspecialreferencetogreece AT babupgeorge themarketforreproductivetourismananalysiswithspecialreferencetogreece AT anastasiaparaskou marketforreproductivetourismananalysiswithspecialreferencetogreece AT babupgeorge marketforreproductivetourismananalysiswithspecialreferencetogreece |