What is IHTC?

Is the International Health Tourism Centre (IHTC) a national commercial consultancy promoting Greece, or a true global trade body?

The International Health Tourism Centre (IHTC) says it is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation for both international and national health tourism. Its aims stated on the website are for the ‘organisation, administration and efficient management of high quality Health and Safety certified health product for all the stakeholders of its member countries.’

Based in Greece, with no member lists displayed, the current focus however seems to be on promoting inbound health and medical tourism to Greece.

IHTC’s main purpose is to provide its services to all those involved in the promotion and provision of health tourism ‘to ensure quality and promote its sustainable development.’ The International Society for Quality in Health Care External Evaluation Association (IEEA) does not however accredit IHTC.

The IHTC offers a wide range of Health Tourism services, for both healthcare providers and national health and tourism agencies. Its overarching goal is in the strategic planning and assistance in the development and promotion of ‘the domestic Health Tourism product’.

From looking at their published news and events, perhaps this is just for the international promotion of the Greek domestic health tourism product.