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An Evaluation of the Factors of Maternity Tourism Demand

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Maternity tourism has become an increasingly important area of study in tourism and population economicsin recent years. As Canada is one of the few developed economies that practices Jus Soli, this study investigatesthe determinants of maternity tourism in the country. To this end, the study applies the conventionaltourism demand model to identify the factors that influence maternity tourism, including average incomein priority markets, the real effective exchange rate, the number of obstetricians and gynecologists, thenumber of hospital beds, and the infant mortality rate. The study employs a recently introduced FourierVAR model to examine relationships among these variables. The empirical results, based on impulse-responsefunctions, show that higher-quality healthcare, indicated by more hospital beds and obstetricians, attractsmore maternity tourists. Additionally, higher income levels in priority markets increase demand, while anappreciation of the Canadian dollar reduces maternity tourism. Variance decomposition analysis also showsthat infant mortality is a critical explanatory factor, highlighting the importance of healthcare outcomes inshaping maternity tourism flows. These findings could help the government implement effective policiesto promote maternity tourism.

Source: Tourism

DOI: 10.37741/t.74.2.8

Authors: Sakiru Adebola Solarin, Muhammed Sehid Gorus, Mert Akyuz, Chien-Chiang Lee

Institutions: Multimedia University, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, City University of Macau

Language: English

Topic: Global Healthcare and Medical Tourism

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7156150682

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