SUBANG JAYA, June 6 — Selangor’s smaller towns are increasingly benefiting from spillover effects of the state’s growing medical tourism industry, as healthcare providers, hotels, and tourism operators expand beyond major urban centres to tap rising demand from international patients.
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said the state’s medical tourism push has begun driving economic activity to destinations such as Kuala Selangor, Sekinchan, and Hulu Selangor, where visitors are combining medical treatments with ecotourism and wellness experiences.
“Some of the medical centres are also (expanding) into smaller towns. For instance, KPJ just started KPJ Kuala Selangor last year, as it is located near ecotourism spots like Sekinchan and Kuala Selangor,” she told Media Selangor in a recent interview.
Chua said more international patients are seeking recovery environments closer to nature, especially for longer-term treatments and wellness-related stays.
“They can enjoy the small-town atmosphere and focus on healing and recovery in a more relaxing environment,” she said, adding that more wellness operators are similarly exploring smaller towns in Selangor, including areas near Rawang and Bukit Takun, for future projects.
“We have already received proposals for wellness spa centres in these areas, which will further strengthen Selangor’s medical tourism ecosystem.”
According to Chua, medical tourism packages promoted by the state are no longer confined to hospital visits, but now integrate flights, accommodation, transport, and tourism.
She said patients visiting Selangor for treatments also often spend several days in the state, allowing local businesses to benefit from increased visitor spending.
“For simple medical check-ups, (the stay) is usually four days and three nights, or three days and two nights,” she said, noting that medical tourists usually travel with family, creating additional demand for hotels, food and beverage outlets, transport services, and sightseeing activities.
She said car rental companies and accommodation providers have also started tailoring offerings specifically for medical tourists.
According to Chua, Selangor’s connectivity remains one of its strongest advantages in attracting medical travellers, supported by Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Subang Airport.
The presence of 46 medical centres in Selangor also provides international patients a wider range of healthcare options compared with other states, she said.
She added that word of mouth continues to play a major role in sustaining the industry.
“This tourism segment is really based on trust and word of mouth. Once patients recover and have confidence in the doctor or medical centre, they will recommend it to their friends and family.”
Chua said the state is also seeing rising interest in elderly care and post-treatment recovery services, driven by ageing population trends across the region.
Tourism Selangor estimates that about 336,000 of the 8.42 million tourists recorded during Visit Selangor Year 2025 came for medical-related purposes.
