By [1] Tom Dell

With a climate that is arguably the best in the world, Spain’s Gran Canaria is rapidly establishing itself as one of world’s leading wellness and medical tourism destinations. After hearing about the local government’s new initiative to cater to this industry, we decided to pay the island a visit.

Photo: All2Well Wellness Advocate Becky walks the beaches of Las Palmas.

“Medical tourism” refers to obtaining health care and other wellness-related services across international borders. To date, more than 50 countries identify medical tourism as a national industry. Spain, with a mild climate and the seventh best health care system in Europe according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is particularly well suited to this industry.

Medical tourism is growing ever more popular among Americans. As many as 750,000 Americans travelled abroad for health care in 2007, according to a 2008 report by Deloitte Consulting. The firm estimates that medical tourism originating in the U.S. could increase by a factor of ten over the next decade. Among the factors contributing to this growth include the high cost of U.S. health care and the relative low cost of international travel.

The idea of medical tourism is not particularly new. The ancient Greeks, for example, used to travel to the small Saronic Gulf territory of Epidauria to seek out the healing god Asklepios.

Neither is the idea of medical tourism new to Gran Canaria. The first writings on the existence of medical spring water on the island date back to the 17th Century, noting that the local inhabitants drank a slightly carbonated liquid of rich mineral content that was beneficial to their health.

In the 19th century, the north of Gran Canaria became a destination for wealthy tourists of northern and central Europe who frequented the resorts of Azuaje and Los Berrazales. Although now in disuse, therapeutic water still flows in the Doramas forest surrounding Azuaje and the Los Berrazales ravine near Agaete. These iron-rich springs are said to be of great benefit for those suffering rheumatism and stomach and lung ailments.

In the 1960s, Italian Eduardo Filiputti built a heliotherapy centre in the Maspalomas Dunes. It was torn down in the 1990s, but Filiputti is still well regarded for promoting the dual benefits of sun and sand.

Today, Gran Canaria hosts many therapeutic destinations, including the following:

Corallium Thalasso Villa del Conde Hotel

With a thalassotherapy circuit surrounding modern spaces and seawater pools, this center offers a range of health and beauty treatments applied with background music and chromotherapy. There are open-air facilities and exclusive Ocean View Suites with private seawater pools, jacuzzis and sun terraces just yards from the ocean. Other amenities include a pavilion for seawater inhalations - equipped with heated beds and a reflexology pool for cold water stepping, a pavilion with oil showers, and a vitality circuit offering crystal and herbal steam baths with eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, and other aromas. There is also an ice fountain with showers of different water pressures and temperatures. For more information, call +34 928 563 232.

Seaside Hotel Palm Beach. This hotel boasts a modern, luxury wellness area among a palm grove. Services include thalassotherapy, aromatherapy, massage, cosmetics, Rasul, ozonotherapy, thymotherapy and serumtherapy services, saunas and relaxation areas. The Spa and Wellness Center offers 11 treatment rooms with views on a Japanese garden. For more information, call +34 928 721 032.

Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia. Among this hotel’s features are an indoor fitness studio, outdoor gym, and private salt water pool with jets designed to massage every part of your body. There is also a sauna and Turkish bath. Taichi, Yoga and aqua gymnastics are offered free of charge various times during the week. Other programs under the supervision of a medical specialist include those for general and internal medicine, anti-aging, physiotherapy and Chinese traditional therapies.

Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort & Spa. Arguably the biggest draw of this hotel is the Aloe Spa in which one can obtain a natural treatment of body wrapping with Aloe Vera taken from nearby gardens. The relaxing 50-minute treatment moisturizes and softens the skin. Other amenities include a 24-hour gym, hairdresser, vitality pool, Turkish bath, sauna, indoor pool, and various indoor and outdoor relaxation zones. For more information, call +34 928 943 000.

For a more complete listing of all Gran Canaria has to offer, visit the [2] Gran Canaria Spa, Wellness & Health Association web site.

Impressions 
From a personal perspective, I found Gran Canaria’s climate very pleasant, its people friendly and helpful, and its dining opportunities numerous and diverse. If there was a downside, it was the euro-to-dollar exchange rate that had me paying 50 percent more on every transaction than I would at home. Because of the relative quality of the goods and services I purchased, however, I did not feel cheated. I would definately visit the Canary Islands again.

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