Albania is increasingly being recognised as a country with strong potential to develop medical and health tourism in the region. During a forum held at Barleti University in Tirana, experts from healthcare, tourism, academia and the private sector discussed opportunities for Albania to position itself as a trusted destination for international patients.
The forum was organised in collaboration with international partners including the Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation (UK), Temos International (Germany) and the Albanian Medical Tourism Association.
Experts emphasised that the development of medical tourism is not only about providing healthcare services, but also about building international trust, patient safety and a high-quality patient experience.
During the event, the Global Healthcare Tourism Leadership Programme (GHTL) was also introduced. The programme aims to strengthen professional capacity and promote international best practices in the healthcare tourism sector.
The shared ambition is to help position Albania as a competitive and trusted hub for medical and health tourism in Southeast Europe, combining healthcare excellence with the country’s well-known hospitality. Speakers at the Forum
Dr Claudia Mika – CEO, Temos International
Dr Merita Osmani – CEO, Albanian Medical Tourism Association
Dr Asaad Riad – Global Health Tourism Expert
Professor Alaa Garad – President, Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation (UK)
The forum also introduced the upcoming Global Healthcare Tourism Leadership Programme, which will take place in Albania from 30 March to 4 April 2026.
Participants from Albania and the Balkan region, as well as the audience of A2 CNN and the programme Diagnozë, will have the opportunity to receive a 50% scholarship by entering the code A2CNN during registration.
More information:
https://stirlingcentre.org.uk/ghtl/
We conducted an interview with Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad, President of the Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation in the United Kingdom. He is an internationally recognised expert in quality management, organisational excellence and strategic learning, with over 30 years of experience in executive leadership and academia. Professor Garad is the author of several books and hundreds of scientific articles and has held leadership positions in academic institutions and international organisations.
Conducted by Freskida Miloti, host of the medical programme “Diagnozë”
Freskida Miloti: Why is Albania attracting attention today as a potential destination for medical and health tourism?
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: In fact, Albania has recently been attracting attention not only in Europe but also in other parts of the world. I would say for three main reasons.
First, because of the professional and academic education in the field of medicine. Albania has very well-trained doctors, and many of them have also been trained to work at an international level. Therefore, the country has strong professional capacity.
Second, it is very competitive economically in terms of cost and value for money. Healthcare services here are much more affordable compared to many other European countries.
The third reason is the beautiful nature and environment for recovery. People can undergo their medical procedures and receive healthcare services while also enjoying nature, food and the local cuisine.
These are three reasons that make Albania unique and distinctive.
Freskida Miloti: From an international perspective, what are the key standards a country must meet in order to become a trusted centre for medical tourism?
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: A patient who travels for healthcare does not travel only for treatment; they travel for trust. In order to build that trust, providers of medical tourism services must focus on quality accreditation and excellence in healthcare services. They should also be certified by international accreditation organisations, such as Temos International or the Joint Commission International.
There are not many accreditation bodies worldwide, but they represent the highest quality standards. I would say that this is essential for healthcare providers.
Freskida Miloti: How important are quality, accreditation, patient care and safety for building international trust in health tourism?
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: This is a very good question, and I would say it is fundamental. It is extremely important and essential.
Imagine a patient leaving their home country and travelling to another country, placing their health and even their life in a completely different healthcare system. Without trust and guarantees about that system, health tourism or medical tourism simply would not exist.
That is why quality is decisive and extremely important. Without it, medical tourism cannot develop properly.
Freskida Miloti: Through the Global Healthcare Tourism Leadership Program, what impact do you hope to create within Albania’s healthcare and tourism ecosystem?
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: That is a fantastic and very strategic question. We developed this preparatory program together with experts in the field, and we are bringing high-level trainers and specialists, such as Dr. Claudia Mika. She is the CEO of Temos International and will deliver the course here in Albania.
We want to help Albania unlock its great potential, because the country truly has enormous potential. What is needed is more capacity building, more accreditation and greater awareness.
This is not only about the healthcare system; it is also about the tourism system. It includes travel agencies, tour operators and hotels. So it is an entire ecosystem, as you rightly mentioned.
We help connect these elements, because people want to do their best but they need to understand exactly what needs to be done. We explain what needs to happen so that this ecosystem can work together effectively.
Freskida Miloti: Looking ahead, do you believe Albania can become a regional hub for medical tourism in Southeast Europe?
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: Personally, I love Albania. However, it is not only because of that.
Objectively, I see very strong potential for Albania, provided that we bring all these elements together and structure them in a sustainable way.
The basic building blocks already exist. What is needed now is further improvement and ensuring that quality is fully integrated into the system so that people understand it and implement it.
There should also be a strong focus on patient safety, patient experience and the wider ecosystem of hospitality, transport and recovery services.
Yes, Albania has tremendous potential and I am very optimistic about it. With the Stirling Centre, we hope to be part of this initiative.
Freskida Miloti: Thank you very much, Professor Alaa Garad.
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: Thank you.
Freskida Miloti: It was a pleasure to be here for this interview. I wish you all the best.
Prof. Dr. Alaa Garad: Thank you very much, and thanks to your audience and A2 News.
(A2 Televizion)
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