Identifying and Prioritizing Effective Indicators in Health Medical Tourism Using the SWARA Method

Medical health tourism is an important factor in promoting tourism. This industry not only showcases national identity but also helps to alleviate poverty, generate income, create job opportunities, improve welfare and social justice in society, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the economy and overall living standards. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors that impact medical tourism, with a focus on Ardabil province.

A mixed research methodology with an exploratory approach was utilized to examine 43 articles related to medical tourism using the meta-composite method. The components were measured using expert opinion and the fuzzy Delphi method, then prioritized with the SWARA method. To conduct data analysis, Maxqda version 10 and Smart PLS software were utilized.

According to the research, the most significant factors that contribute to medical tourism in Ardabil province are economic growth indicators, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, quality of laws, social networks, challenges, variety of attractions and leisure opportunities, expert staff, development of tourism policies, respect for beliefs, sustainable income, Islamic medical services, effectiveness and efficiency, participation, language in common, medical infrastructure, costs, natural capacities, and medical service tariffs.

According to the research findings, the medical service tariff index, which had a final weight of 0.131, was deemed the most crucial component in health medical tourism.