Medical Tourism generates some us$288 million dollars in revenue annually, representing 1.23% of the Gross Domestic Production of the country.

Plastic Surgeon, and advisor to the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), Cristian Rivera, said that most of the foreign patients are women over 50 seeking dental services.

The specialist took part in the Radio Reloj radio program "minuto a minuto", explaining that Costa Rica is an attractive destination for medical tourism because it is the only country in the world to have all its private hospitals accredited.

In terms of accommodation and expenses, medical tourists also leave profits for the tourism sector and the country.

According to Rivera, medical tourism generates 20.000 jobs each year in Costa Rica and has great potential for further growth.

Reference:http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/august/24/costarica11082407.htm