Government is looking into how Bermuda can tap into the worldwide $150 billion medical tourism industry.

Detailing a recent trip to the World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress in Las Vegas, Minister of Tourism Development Shawn Crockwell said an “exciting proposal” was on the table for the Island which could develop the industry on the Island.

However, he declined to give details.

Mr Crockwell said the medical and healthcare travel industry was rapidly growing across the world and attracting public and private investors.

“In 2011, medical tourism worldwide generated approximately $50 billion dollars in revenue, and wellness tourism generated approximately $106 billion in revenue,” he said. “The average medical tourist spends around $10,000 and often had family members accompany them, who spend approximately $3,000.

“This is clearly an industry that Bermuda could explore and the Government is looking into various niche models which can set us apart from the competition.”

Mr Crockwell said the Congress, which took place earlier this month, was attended by 2,100 delegates from across the world. He said every country’s medical system had its own advantages and disadvantages, including Bermuda, but the Island had the opportunity to package medical procedures with a “relaxing resort environment”.

“Nine percent of medical tourists spend time relaxing in the destination after their procedure,” Mr Crockwell said. “In Barbados, there are hospital resorts where patients receive medical treatment on one part of the facility and then move to the resort-like part for convalescence.

“Bermuda is certainly a destination that is ideal for tourists seeking wellness who wish to combine relaxation, sport, health, good food and contact with the environment.”

Health Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin also attended the Congress, presenting during a session entitled “International Health Improvement Strategy — foreign minister’s Perspective on Improving Corporate Health”.

Ms Gordon-Pamplin said she took advantage of the conference to make contacts regarding the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre.

“Some excellent ideas were advanced and many contacts were made, which enabled me to bring back information with which the Bermuda Hospitals Board could work in order to enhance their ability to diversify Bermuda’s healthcare offerings and to offer a different model for the UCC.”

She also said she was invited to a Bermuda-specific meeting with Renee-Marie Stephano, the president of the Medical Tourism Association, about potentially replicating the conference in a smaller scale on the Island.

Medical tourism in Bermuda has been discussed for several years.

In 2010 around 200 patients flew to the Island for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) prostate cancer treatment, resulting in 1,000 bed nights for hotels.

And during his time as Premier, Dr Ewart Brown spoke repeatedly about the benefits of medical tourism, saying: “People will travel to be healed”.