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ISSN 2063-5346
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DENTAL TOURISM IN SHKODRA IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

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1]Zamira Shabani*, [2]Arketa Pllumi Guli, [3]Kristjan Preçetaj
» doi: 10.48047/ecb/2023.12.10.309

Abstract

Dental tourism is an important segment of the growing health tourism industry. Patients generate relevant tourism revenue for the destination country beyond the dental clinics’ direct income. The aim of this study is to evidence the situation of these phenomena last year in Shkodra. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. The populations of study are: dentists, patients and travel agency workers. The time of this study wass January - March 2023. The study was conducted using interviews. We interviewed dentists in different locations of the city, three workers from different travel agencies and the correspondent patients who have traveled to Shkodra for dental care. All these interviews are done face to face, anonymously and voluntarily. The data is calculated and analyzed in Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Results: The majority of patients who came to Shkodra for dental care was born in Shkodra and lives abroad. The main reasons that they prefer Shkodra are the low costs and the relationship with their families and friends. The busiest dental tourism period is the holiday season like Christmas, New Year, and Easter and summer vacation. Travel agencies admit having clients, who come for dental tourism but they still do not have a strategy to provide these services. Conclusions: The city itself can benefit much more from the dental business with greater involvement of tourism offices. While today the primary motivation is medical treatment, in the future it would be the tourist experience with dental treatment as a by-product. A combination with dental tourism can develop Shkodra into a medical destination, where returning immigrants come to see their relatives and foreign tourists come to get healthier and relax. Hence, dental tourism in Shkodra could be a sustainable future tourism form.

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