Recent studies within Finland to determine its ability to serve as a real destination in the field of health tourism have come back with very positive results. Ironically, one of the most promising factors for Finland’s participation in the field is not based upon its potential, but its history. Finland has already been a major destination for travelers looking for a nice place to get away, where there are amenities that can help with soundness of mind and body. These are the same qualities that any major destination for health tourism needs to have.

Generally speaking, health tourism is distinguished from medical tourism in a few major ways. Medical tourism is when someone crosses a border in order to get medical treatment for a lower price than their home country, or because the wait is prohibitively long, or their home country does not offer the treatment. These are usually surgical procedures, necessary or elective, or dental work. Travel for health tourism can also be for the destination, where a beautiful location might be considered more restorative after a particularly debilitating operation. Health tourism is not as tied to western medical practices, per se, but is considered to be more holistic in approach, and sometimes falls under the umbrella term of alternative medicine.

Finland, in this regard, is a remarkable candidate, because it already is what travelers are looking for. It is generally accepted that the air quality here is the best in Europe, making it a perennial favorite for those recovering from any number of ailments. It is also the country that has the longest tradition for spas and saunas. The hot tub has been a centerpiece in the Finnish home for centuries, and the bath is taken as a very serious ritual, and has even become part of the Christmas celebrations. Finland is ahead of the curve on this one, then, and it will no doubt come to be a new discovery for some, while the rest scramble to protect their old secret.