An interesting clipping from an article on gulfnews.com shows the ambitions of Tunisia to join the ranks of major medical tourism destinations:

“There is a growing European fad for plastic surgery in Tunisia. It could become a hub for medical tourism,” said Slim Ben Yeder, manager of the Soukra Clinic in Tunis.

The tourism industry has grown into the former French colony’s top foreign currency earner and the biggest employer after the farming sector.

The north African country received 6.4 million holidaymakers last year, bringing in 2.56 billion dinars ($1.98 billion).

“A traditional tourist spends between 300 and 400 euros during his stay,” Ben Yeder said. “But a medical tourist spends 2,500 to 4,000 euros at least.”

In Europe, former communist countries in the east are luring western customers with cut-price cosmetic surgery and dentistry.

Tunisian health industry officials say the country can catch up fast by offering low prices.

Wearing a short skirt and a tight black top, British transvestite Joanna Searl strolls proudly past a hotel swimming pool in Tunis on her way to visit the ancient ruins of Carthage. She came to Tunisia for a breast operation and to remove the fine lines around her eyes.

“No more wrinkles and real, normal breasts for just 8,500 euros,” said the 52-year-old therapist. “This would cost £20,000 (29,720 euros) in Britain.”

Breast enlargement costs around 2,600 euros in Tunisia including the travel. The surgery alone costs double that in France.