Busan, South Korea — The 2026 Busan International Medical Tourism Convention (BIMTC) officially opened its doors today for a two-day run, taking place from November 13 to 14 at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1.

Now in its 18th year, this flagship annual event highlights Busan’s cutting-edge medical technologies and world-class healthcare services. Designed to strengthen the city's global competitiveness, the convention serves as a dynamic platform for international networking, healthcare collaboration, and tourism promotion.

Key Highlights and Programs

Medical Tourism Exhibition: Local healthcare providers, medical institutions, and industry enterprises have set up exhibition booths to showcase specialized treatment fields, advanced medical services, and tailored medical tourism packages.
Symposiums and Seminars: Industry experts and global stakeholders are gathering to discuss the latest trends in the medical tourism sector, share effective strategies for attracting international patients, and explore sustainable pathways for future growth.
B2B Business Consultations: One-on-one business matching sessions are connecting overseas buyers from 14 countries with Busan-based medical institutions. These structured consultations are designed to foster long-term partnerships and secure concrete medical tourism agreements, supported by ongoing post-event management.
Pre-Event Fam Tour: Ahead of the main opening, international buyers were divided into three groups to experience Busan’s premier wellness tourism destinations firsthand, getting an immersive look at the city's unique blend of healthcare and leisure.

Public Engagement and Wellness Programs

Beyond professional networking, the convention offers a rich array of engaging activities for local citizens and international visitors alike:

An International Student Health Festival to promote wellness and community integration.
Interactive meditation, yoga, and singing bowl sessions hosted by wellness institutions, allowing participants to experience Busan’s unique wellness infrastructure.
A variety of prize giveaways and participatory events to add a festive touch to the convention.
Na Yoon-bin, Director-General of Busan’s Tourism Contents Industry Bureau, noted that the recent surge in international visitors presents a golden opportunity to elevate the city's medical tourism industry. "By seamlessly integrating Busan’s outstanding medical infrastructure with our attractive tourism assets, we aim to ensure that global visitors can enjoy both top-tier medical care and holistic wellness, ultimately making Busan a destination they will want to revisit time and time again," she stated.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]