Thanks to its quality healthcare facilities, a giant pool of specialist doctors and alternate options in medical treatments like Ayurveda and yoga, India is a fast emerging medical and wellness tourism market. Each year India attracts the attention of millions of tourists who visit for top quality and affordable medical services. This increase in the medical and wellness tourism industry has not just strengthened the country’s tourism and economy but also led to advancements in medical services, manpower, and infrastructure.
- Cost-effective treatments are given in India
Studies have revealed that the wellness and medical tourism in India is gaining in popularity because of the nation’s cost-effective treatments. The doctors, nurses in most hospitals, and spa technicians are trained and skilled to operate at top quality. It has been cited that a person who travels to India to receive medical or wellness services can save approximately 30-70% in terms of procedure costs. Even when considering the ticket and living expenses in India, the total price comes way lower than what countries like US and UK charge. The recent sharp decline in the value of Indian Rupee has become a boon for medical travelers. This means they get more medical services at extremely affordable prices.
- Alternate medicine
India offers better services in alternative treatment methods when compared to other nations. Ayurveda is an ancient medicine form that is practiced in India and is popular because of its low degree of side effects. With a dedicated department called Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), the government supports further development and research in these forms of medicine. By learning the ways of self-healing, many people can benefit and naturally cure their ailments in India.
- India to rule the medical tourism market by 2019
Another study conducted by a US-based independent and non-profit research and innovation center, SRI, revealed that wellness tourism India is expected to rise by 50% in the next four years. With the nation’s abundance of knowledge and natural ways of curing ailments like Ayurveda and Yoga, the nation’s tourism for medical services is expected to increase at a rate of 20% annually from 2017. There are a number of yoga retreat camps that are been conducted by various companies backed by the National Wellness and Medical Tourism Board in India.
- Government supports to medical tourism
By integrating tour operators and agents, Wellness Spas and centers, hospitals and medical tourism facilitators, the government of India has recognized the nation’s potential in wellness tourism. From promotional activities like seminars/workshops/events to providing a maximum of INR 10.00 lakh to stakeholders on a 50:50 ratio of cost sharing, the board set up for wellness tourism is working towards publicizing the nation more and more. The Ministry of Tourism is also going to fund medical centers to hold training courses for skill up-gradation and certification courses to individuals involved in this industry.
By providing tourist visas on arrival to citizens of 43 countries through Electronic Travel Authorization, the nation has opened its doors to welcome tourists without the hassles of applying for visas beforehand. Earlier visas on arrival were available for citizens of 12 countries only and on 27th November 2014, the list was expanded to include 31 more countries. For tourists arriving for medical services, the nation has announced a special M-visa, which can be extended to 12 more months beyond its one year issue period.
- Programs in Yoga and naturopathy
Many wellness groups in the nation are offering yoga classes, naturopathy and Ayurveda, panchakarma, and detox programs in a single retreat. These classes take place in a number of exotic locations so that the members of the programs can experience the great cultural and spiritual wealth of the nation. Many wellness retreats take place in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Andaman, Kerala, Bangalore and many more places, and attract hundreds of tourists each year.
Summary
India is emerging in the medical tourism industry as a leader because of its strong government programs to cater to tourists that visit the nation for affordable medical services. In addition to the allopathic and conventional medical facilities that the nation delivers, India is also an ideal choice for tourists that want to opt for alternative medical forms like Yoga, naturopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, and homeopathy.
