Professor of the Department of Political Science at the Universidad del Norte (Colombia). PhD in International Economics, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain). Member of the research group International Agenda recognized by the Department of Science, Technology and Information (Colciencias) (Colombia). Research areas: Medical Tourism, Health Tourism, Tourism and Post-conflict. Contact: mdelapuente@uninorte.edu.co.
This chapter analyzes the role of the central government of Colombia in the strategy for the improvement of the medical tourism industry through a critical approach of the traditional model of competitiveness. Based on a mixed method, the feasibility of the associative systemic competitiveness model and its effectiveness on the quality of medical services offered to foreign patients is determined. Under the current competitiveness model, the central government implements a series of strategies based on executive orders in an isolated way. The proposal for the implementation of systemic competitiveness model improves the perception of quality of medical services by foreign patients. In order to implement the proposed model, it recommended the expansion of free taxation zones, the proliferation of medical service clusters, and the strengthening of strategic alliances with international operators.
Part of the book: Mobilities, Tourism and Travel Behavior