Meyer-Falcke: When one considers the German cities that might be suitable for health tourism, on the basis of pure facts alone, Düsseldorf must be mentioned. Firstly because there are 15 top-class hospitals here which deal with virtually every imaginable illness. As the Commissioner for Health, I am therefore confident that there is hardly any illness for which high-quality treatment is not available in Düsseldorf. “We have no fewer than 15 top-class hospitals here which deal with virtually every imaginable illness.” Prof. Dr. Andreas Meyer-Falcke, Commissioner for Human Resources, IT, Health and Civil Service of the state capital Düsseldorf Friedrich: Certainly, hospitals and clinics need to have the right phys- icians practising in them and provide good medical care. In addition, special demands are placed on healthcare facili- ties by the health tourism target group – ranging from language to cultural issues. The hospital and the physicians must be prepared for these eventualities. Meyer-Falcke: Other cities have good hospitals too. However, what we also have to offer in Düsseldorf as a unique selling point is what must be the great- est density of five-star hotels in such a small area. Then there is the city’s attractiveness as a luxury shopping des- tination with everything in easy reach. This image also impacts on the hospi- tals. And, of course, vice versa – the attract iveness of the medical infrastruc- ture reflects well on Düsseldorf. Friedrich: In the premium segment – for example, the InterContinental, the Hyatt, the Medici, the Steigenberger and the Breidenbacher – we have an outstanding, modern hotel infrastruc- ture. That is important, and not only for patients but particularly for the patient’s travelling companions who have the opportunity to turn their stay into a cultural and shopping experience. There are many cities with great hospitals but the infrastructure around them tends to be dull. Furthermore, in Düsseldorf one can travel quickly from the airport to the city or, the other way around, fly off for a quick break in, say, London. “The patient’s travelling companions, in particular, have the opportunity to turn their stay into a cultural and shopping experience.” Ole Friedrich, Managing Director, Düsseldorf Tourismus Meyer-Falcke: That is exactly the point. When I visit my son-in-law in the USA, I spend three-and-a-half hours just trav- elling through Los Angeles from the air- port. Here, in the same time, I can travel almost as far as Berlin from my office. Friedrich: We have put this important information and the benefits onto a website and this magazine. We don’t recommend any doctor or clinic in this publication but the market players can present themselves to the target group in such a way that the latter gets a com- prehensive picture of what is available. The health tourism summit Meyer-Falcke: I think it’s good that Düsseldorf Tourismus is engaging with this subject. Hotel associations always look at the issue from the perspective of hotel managers. And naturally there are also associations of hospital directors who tend to have a medical take on the subject. However, from the point of view of those who come here as patients, both have to be brought together. But that can only be done by an outsider such as Düsseldorf Tourismus. Friedrich: And we are doing it out of passion because, naturally, we can see the potential growth in this premium segment. We are addressing a well-to- do target group, and for these patients it is important that they can discuss medical issues in their native languages. The overall experience from flight to hotel transfer to hotel stay and hospital treatment must be absolutely smooth and pleasant. Ole Friedrich has been the Managing Director of Düsseldorf Tourismus GmbH since 2018. Prof. Dr. Andreas Meyer-Falcke has been the Commissioner for Human Resources, IT, Health and Civil Service in Düsseldorf since 2012. 27