DÜSSELDORF – More than 120 international experts from medicine, health services, and tourism gathered for the 7th Düsseldorf Health Marketing Forum, confirming Düsseldorf’s growing relevance as a leading destination in health tourism, medical tourism, and global healthcare. Organized by Visit Düsseldorf, the event delivered forward-looking insights, strategic discussions, and a landmark announcement for the city’s health travel ecosystem.

A Premium Setting for Health and Medical Tourism Dialogue

The forum took place at the prestigious Steigenberger Icon Parkhotel, a flagship of Düsseldorf’s luxury hospitality sector. Hosted by General Manager Stefan Winkler, the hotel’s refined atmosphere and central location provided an ideal environment for high-level discussions on the future of international patient travel and global healthcare offerings.

Strategic Outlook for Düsseldorf’s Health Tourism Growth

The program highlighted several key developments shaping the city's health and medical tourism strategy:

• Health Marketing Strategy 2025/26: Jens Ihsen, Director of Visit Düsseldorf, unveiled the city’s upcoming strategic framework designed to strengthen Düsseldorf’s position in the European and global health tourism market.

• Longevity as a Growth Segment: Dr. med. Thomas B. Fischer delivered a compelling keynote on Longevity, reflecting the increasing global demand for preventive medicine, lifestyle optimization, and long-term health management.

• Industry Panel on Future Trends: A dynamic panel discussion brought together Dimitri Belov, Anna Kobrya (radprax Vorsorge-Institut), Dr. Fischer, and Stefan Winkler. Moderated by Angela Julie Wadenpohl, the conversation explored new opportunities in medical tourism, patient expectations, digital transformation, and the evolving role of clinics and facilitators in global healthcare.

  
  

Major Milestone: Visit Düsseldorf Joins the European Health and Medical Tourism Association (EHMTA)

A defining moment of the evening was the official signing of the membership agreement between Visit Düsseldorf and the European Health and Medical Tourism Association (EHMTA).The agreement was signed live on stage by Jens Ihsen and EHMTA President Ivan Rendulić.

Joining EHMTA strengthens Düsseldorf’s integration into the European health tourism network and provides access to:

• international patient facilitators,

• cross-border cooperation initiatives,

• global healthcare market intelligence,

• and relevant medical tourism industry data.

This step positions Düsseldorf even more strongly within Europe’s competitive landscape for high-quality medical care, wellness travel, and international patient services.

Düsseldorf’s Growing Role in Global Healthcare

The 7th Health Marketing Forum clearly demonstrated that Düsseldorf is ready to take a leading role in shaping the future of global healthcare travel. With its internationally recognized clinics, strong hospitality infrastructure, and strategic partnerships, the city is steadily expanding its profile as a premium destination for both health and medical tourism.

As the forum concluded, Visit Düsseldorf and its partners emphasized their commitment to advancing innovation, strengthening international networks, and driving sustainable growth in the region’s health tourism ecosystem.