WELLNESS TOURISM
The potential of wellness systems, developed through centuries of wisdom of this ancient civilization would be fully tapped. This is being done by positioning India as a centre of Ayurveda, Yoga, Sidha, Naturopathy, etc. together with the spiritual philosophy that has been integral to the Indian way of life.
Ministry of Tourism has drafted guideline for wellness tourism. These guidelines address issues regarding making available quality publicity material, traininig and capacity building for the service providers, participation in international & domestic Wellness related events, etc.
Mushrooming of wellness centers in the country have given rise to the concern for quality service. The Guideline for Accreditation of wellness centers have been developed by National Board for Accreditation of Hospitals & Healthcare Services (NABH) in consultation with AYUSH and released during the workshop on wellness tourism organized by Ministry of Tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism has also extended its Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to wellness tourism service providers including accredited wellness centers.
Presently the wellness centers accredited by State Tourism Departments are also eligible for the MDA. After the accreditation guidelines of NABH is in place, all wellness centers seeking MDA would be asked to be as close to the accreditation guidelines of NABH as possible.
The initiative of accreditation of wellness centre by NABH and AYUSH has been greatly driven be the Ministry of Tourism as also consultation with the Wellness Tourism Service Providers, State Governments and other stakeholders.
MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical tourism (also called medical travel, health tourism or global healthcare) is a term used to describe the rapidly-growing practice of travelling across international borders to seek healthcare services. Services typically sought by travelers include elective procedures as well as complex surgeries, etc.
India holds advantage as a medical tourism destination due to following factors:
Most of the doctors and surgeons at Indian hospitals are trained or have worked at some of the medical institutions in the US, Europe, or other developed nations.
Most doctors and nurses are fluent in English.
Top -of-the-line medical and diagnostic equipment from global international conglomerates is available at many Indian hospitals.
Indian nurses are among the best in the world. Nearly 1000 recognized nurses-training centers in India, mostly attached to teaching hospitals, graduate nearly 10,000 nurses annually.
Even the most budget-conscious traveler can afford first-rate service and luxury amenities.
INITIATIVES OF MINISTRY OF TOURISM TO PROMOTE MEDICAL TOURISM
DEDICATED EXHIBITION SPACE FOR MEDICAL TOURISM IN ITB, BERLIN
In order to promote the positioning of India as a Medical destination and increase the presence of the medical fraternity in the international travel exhibitions, a dedicated space of 4 sq m. was provided to the medical fraternity within the India Pavillion at ITB Berlin.
ROAD SHOWS FOR PROMOTION OF MEDICAL TOURISM
Road shows focusing on Medical Tourism is a continuous process and is organized in consultation with the Stakeholders from time to time. The last road show was organised in West Asia (Dubai, Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha) in October 2009 which was led by the Minister of State for Tourism.
PRODUCTION OF PUBLICITY MATERIAL
Brochure, CDs and other publicity materials to promote Medical and health tourism have been produced by Ministry ot Tourism and have been widely circulated for publicity in target markets.
FISCAL INCENTIVES PROVIDED BY MINISTRY OF TOURISM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM
SALIENT FEATURES OF MDA FOR MEDICAL TOURISM
For participation in approved Medical and other Tourism Fairs/Medical Conferences/Wellness Fairs and its allied Road Shows Ministry of Tourism provides Market Development Assistance. This scheme was extended to the Medical Torism Service Providers and Wellness Tourism Service Providers during the year 2009. Financial support under the MDA Scheme is provided to approved medical tourism service providers, i.e. representatives of Hospitals accredited by JCI and NABH and Medical Tourism facilitators (Travel Agents/ Tour Operators) approved by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and engaged in Medical Tourism.
