The situation, prospect and necessary directions of development of health tourism. Medical tourism has been one of the most dynamically growing areas in thelast decade. Hungary has good traditions and endowmentsin the area of health tourism, but in order toretain and improve its good position, a shift of approachand serious work is needed. To achieve this, it is indispensible for the state to take an increased role, to develop marketable services, to establish integrated, active communication – including the building of trust – that brings the actors together and makes use of evidence. The shift of approach should start with the renewal of the National Health Tourism Development Strategy, which is the foundation for the efficient use of developmental resources and for the establishment of marketable services that also build on public services. The most important task is communication supported and attested by state role-taking, part of which is the establishment of patient-informing quality assurance systems. The flagship of Hungarian health tourism continues to be medicinal water, but it must be associated with more added professional services, and the promotion of independent medical services must also be supported.