ISO/TC 228/WG 2 - Health tourism services

This document establishes the requirements and recommendations for facilitators and healthcare providers in medical tourism. This document intends to ensure quality service provision for tourists in order to meet the expectations of tourists travelling for medical reasons as a primary motivation. This document does not apply to thalassotherapy centres, medical spas or wellness spas.

This document specifies requirements for the provision of quality services at medical spas which use natural healing waters (except sea water) and other natural resources. This document does not cover decisions that correspond to the medical profession. This document does not apply to thalassotherapy centres or wellness spa centres.

ISO 17679:2016 establishes the service requirements of a wellness spa, the main supporting processes and the quality of service to be provided to the client. ISO 17679:2016 can be used by all types and sizes of wellness spas even if it is part of another activity (e.g. accommodation facilities, fitness centres and hospitals). ISO 17679:2016 does not include any accommodation or food and beverage requirements. ISO 17679:2016 does not apply to medical spas and thalassotherapy centres. ISO 17679:2016 does not cover decisions that are related to medical professions, medical training or any religious aspects.

ISO 17680:2015 establishes the requirements for the provision of services in thalassotherapy centres using marine environment's beneficial effects with curative or preventive purposes, aiming at ensuring -Good quality services responding to customer's implicit and explicit needs, -The respectful use of the thalassotherapy concept, -Very specifically, the implementation of hygiene and safety principles, and -The comfort to the customers. ISO 17680:2015 does not deal with the therapeutic virtues supposed to be offered by thalassotherapy nor does it cover decisions that correspond to the medical profession. ISO 17680:2015 does not apply to accommodation nor to catering services. It is understood that all national legal obligations especially regarding hygiene, health, consumers, and employees are to be fulfilled by the thalassotherapy centre.