Promotion of Medical Tourism

New Delhi, April 27, 2016:The development and promotion of tourism primarily is the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities releases campaigns in the international and domestic markets and also undertakes other promotional activities including Promotion of Medical Tourism.

However, in order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and any other format of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted. The Board shall work as an umbrella organization that governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner. The Ministry would drive the promotion of Medical & Wellness Tourism and will act as a facilitator and support the medical/wellness segment in promoting tourism and promoting India as a medical and wellness destination. The Board held its first meeting on 13th January 2016. The issues relating to regulations, monitoring, marketing & promotion of Medical and Wellness Tourism are looked into by the Board.

The foreign tourists who visited India for medical purpose during 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 171021, 236898 and 184298, respectively. Data for the year 2014 is of visa type by Nationality. Earlier data is of Nationality-wise FTAs by purpose of visit based on the information recorded in disembarkation card.

This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.