Abstract

TRIVINO OROZCO, Delio; OVALLE ALVAREZ, Divina  and  DIAZ-SOLANO, Beatriz Helena. Medical tourism in the city of Barranquilla: a contextual analysis for the implementation of a cluster. rev. econ. Caribe [online]. 2018, n.21, pp.131-159. ISSN 2011-2106.

The purpose of this article is to give an overview of medical tourism in Barranquilla, as a base to create a cluster. The study used a mixed methodology, using in depth interviews with relevant actors and working with secondary sources in order to evaluate the extent and quality of medical services. A principal result was the identification of only three accredited health care institutions in the entire city, out of 390 medical facilities. There exists a culture of self-sufficiency and individual service not conducting to group formation. In addition, the level of bilingualism is insufficient for medical tourism needs. Relevant conclusions are that a greater number of accredited medical facilities are needed, as well as a region wide view of tourism that allows for the formation of relevant complementary services.

Keywords : medical tourism; cluster; competitiveness; regional development.

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