It is often said that the pursuit of beauty is human nature. In recent years, Albania, located in Southeastern Europe, has seen a rise in "medical aesthetic tourism," attracting residents from neighboring countries with affordable prices. Visitors can undergo dental implants or lip augmentation procedures while exploring local tourist attractions, with the annual market value estimated to approach NT$9 billion!
Albania Attracts Millions of Tourists Each Year Seeking a "Radiant Smile" and "Alluring Lips" (Photo: Freepik, Provided by Toco Lifestyle Magazine)
According to various international media reports, Albania, once dubbed the "North Korea of Europe," has recently become a hotspot for "medical aesthetic tourism," drawing millions of tourists annually in search of "radiant smiles" and "alluring lips." Dritan Gremi, head of a dental clinic in the capital city of Tirana, shared that his clientele includes customers from Italy, France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
Dritan also explained that Albania offers competitive tax rates, high-quality products from Italy and Germany, state-of-the-art equipment, and a team of graduates from prestigious universities. Compared to other European countries, the overall costs are 50-60% lower, attracting an increasing number of tourists for procedures like dental implants, lip augmentation, and even breast and waist cosmetic surgeries.
An Increasing Number of Tourists Travel to Albania for Dental Implants, Lip Augmentation, and Even Breast and Waist Cosmetic Procedures (Photo: Freepik, Provided by Toco Lifestyle Magazine)
For instance, dental implants in France cost €50,000 (approximately NT$1.71 million), while in Albania, the cost is only €13,500 (approximately NT$460,000). The local medical tourism industry estimates annual revenue between €200 million and €250 million (approximately NT$6.8 billion to NT$8.5 billion). Italian tourists alone account for at least 50,000 procedures in Albania annually.
This article is authorized for use by Toco Lifestyle Magazine.
