Also, it has been predicted that the number of beds in private clinics will triple over the next five years.

Treatments such as massages, thalassic therapy, shiatsu, acupuncture and Vichy baths are just a few of the most popular treatments available from 20 five-star hotel spas in the Algarve.

At present, so called ‘health-tourism’ is limited to five-star establishments, which essentially offer natural treatments and do not incorporate traditional medicine.

Generally, tourists prefer treatments incorporating plants, water or sea water, aromatherapy, relaxing massages or Chinese-based medicine.

These are aimed at tourists who are not ill of health, but are looking to improve their well-being.

Experts say around 30 per cent of clients using five-star spa treatments are Portuguese, the remaining 70 per cent being mainly German, American, English, Scottish, Dutch and Spanish.

Indian Ayurvedic massages, Hawaiian Lomi-lomi and Japanese Shiatsu treatments are also growing in popularity.

But António Pina, President of the Algarve ERTA Tourism Board believes there is a future in traditional health tourism, describing the Algarve as a perfect destination for convalescing.

“With our climate, we have all conditions necessary to attract this type of tourist”, he said, explaining the aim is to tie in conventional medical treatments with hotel accommodation for the patient/tourist and their family.

Over the next five years around a dozen new private hospitals aimed at ‘health-tourism’ will take shape, tripling the current number of available beds.