Evaluation of Medical Tourism Structure Based on Porter's Diamond Model in Mashhad Metropolis

Medical tourism has been a combination of two major branches, tourism and treatment services, and has become a multibillion-dollar industry in the global arena. The subject of medical tourism varies according to the policies and programs of each country, and it is a matter of urgency to carry out thorough and comprehensive research within the country to determine the reality.
The city of Mashhad is the second largest metropolis and spiritual capital of Iran, Moreover Mashhad has specific capabilities including medical infrastructure, Razavi Super Speciality Hospital and its unique history of the medical sciences university and the infrastructure for attracting medical tourism along with religious tourism in the city.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the structure of medical tourism based on the porter's diamond model in Mashhad from the perspective of domestic tourists. The present research is an applied and descriptive-survey target. The statistical society includes domestic tourists were taken by Cochran Model. The sample of 380 people was selected randomly by referring to hotels, hospitals and health centers in Mashhad. To analyze the data, a single sample t test was used. The results of the research indicate that Porter's diamond variables are influential in shaping the tourism structure of Mashhad. In terms of assessing the status quo, the variable of competitiveness has the best performance and in the context of the impact of the variable, the operating conditions are considered as the most important factors and priorities. Also, The results show that the dimensions of operating conditions and desirable demand have made Mashhad's metropolis more beneficial for the progress of the medical tourism industry at the national and regional levels, but requires strategic development in a strategic and competitive dimension. It should also be strengthened in terms of supporting industries.