Dr. Hashemi emphasized that North Khorasan must first become a destination where visitors choose to stay, rather than simply a province they pass through on their way to other destinations. He noted that the development of health tourism depends not only on the quality of medical services, but also on adequate accommodation, transportation, accessibility, and other essential tourism infrastructure. 

He identified transportation infrastructure as one of the province’s key challenges. Compared with Mashhad, which benefits from an international airport, extensive transportation networks, and flights from various cities, North Khorasan currently has more limited access.

 

Steps Toward Entering the Regional Health Tourism Market

Despite these challenges, the university has already begun practical initiatives to enter the regional health tourism market. Last year, a provincial delegation traveled to Turkmenistan, where a memorandum of understanding was signed and discussions were held with companies active in the field.

The university is now negotiating with specialized health tourism companies and teams, with plans to establish partnerships that can facilitate the arrival of patients from neighboring countries to receive medical services in North Khorasan.

 

Focus on Neighboring Countries

Dr. Hashemi highlighted the province’s geographical proximity to several countries in the region as an important opportunity for developing health tourism. The university plans to strengthen the necessary infrastructure while working with private-sector organizations and specialized health tourism companies to make access for international patients easier.

He noted that North Khorasan has significant medical capacities and that the university aims to transform these capacities into an opportunity for regional health tourism through international cooperation, engagement with neighboring countries, and partnerships with specialized health tourism organizations.