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- Private hospital investments reach $4b, sector employs 100,000 across direct, indirect jobs, Hammouri says
- Visa procedures, rising costs, regional tensions remain key challenges
AMMAN — The Kingdom's medical tourism sector generated annual revenues of nearly $1 billion in 2025, recording 4 per cent growth compared with the previous year and attracting around 230,000 foreign patients, according to President of the Private Hospitals Association (PHA) Fawzi Hammouri.
Hammouri told The Jordan Times that investments in Jordan’s private hospital sector have reached approximately $4 billion, underscoring the industry’s importance as a key contributor to the national economy.
He added that the sector supports around 40,000 direct jobs in healthcare, in addition to 60,000 jobs in supporting industries, including hotels, airlines, transportation companies, restaurants, insurance providers and logistics services.
Medical services and patient profile
Hammouri said that the most in-demand medical services among foreign patients include bariatric and cosmetic surgery, orthopaedic and neurosurgical procedures, cardiology services, obstetrics and gynaecology treatments, including IVF procedures, as well as cancer and mental health care.
He added that around 25 per cent of patients receive treatment in hospitals, while the remainder are treated in clinics and specialised medical centres.
"Patients from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Libya account for the largest share of medical tourists visiting the Kingdom, alongside visitors from other Arab and foreign countries," he said.
Jordan’s competitive advantages
Hammouri noted that Jordan’s position as a regional healthcare hub is supported by highly qualified medical professionals, internationally accredited hospitals and advanced medical technologies.
"The Kingdom’s competitive advantages also include a medical liability law that protects patients’ rights, mandatory continuous professional development requirements for healthcare practitioners, and relatively short waiting periods for treatment."
Hammouri added that Jordan received recognition from the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in 2023 as an accredited destination for medical and wellness tourism.
He said that Jordan also benefits from political and security stability, cultural and linguistic proximity to Arab patients, a strategic geographic location and competitive healthcare costs.
Challenges facing the sector
Despite these strengths, Hammouri identified several challenges limiting the sector’s growth, including visa procedures for patients and their companions, limited international marketing campaigns compared with competing destinations, rising operational costs, taxes and fees, and high prices of medicines and medical supplies.
He also pointed to the need for additional direct air connections with target markets and the impact of regional geopolitical tensions on aviation and patient mobility.
"While Jordan continues to offer strong value for money compared with many international destinations," he noted that some emerging competitors are attracting patients through lower treatment costs supported by cheaper medicines and medical supplies.
Government support and future outlook
Hammouri said that recent government measures to support the sector have been positive, particularly enhanced cooperation between public and private institutions, facilitation of patient entry procedures and efforts to expand direct flight routes.
He also stressed the need for further reforms to strengthen competitiveness, including visa facilitation, increased international promotion, lower taxes and energy costs, incentives for hospitals attracting foreign patients, and accelerated digital transformation in healthcare services.
He also called for expanding partnerships with international insurance providers and overseas treatment agencies, alongside strengthening air connectivity with key markets.
Looking ahead, Hammouri said Jordan’s long-term vision is to consolidate its position as one of the region’s leading medical tourism destinations by increasing patient arrivals, diversifying source markets and enhancing specialised healthcare services.
The strategy also focuses on upgrading healthcare and digital infrastructure and developing integrated packages combining treatment, travel, accommodation and insurance services to improve the patient experience and boost the sector’s contribution to economic growth.
