Global News Post: Medical Tourism

Indian State Plans for Wellness Tourism

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India,   (NNN-Bernama)
-- With the new tourism season round the corner, south Indian state Kerala has
put in plans to provide world-class Ayurveda facilities and services for
visitors factoring in the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">One of the eight hottest biodiversity hot
spots in the world, Western Ghats has been identified a key component in Kerala
Tourism's campaign focusing on Ayurveda, latching on to the worldwide interest
in the ancient Indian system of wellness, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">"Kerala is naturally blessed to be the
flag bearer of Ayurveda because of the state's rich ecosystem available within
the <st1:place w:st="on">Western Ghats</st1:place>," said Kerala Tourism
Minister AP Anil Kumar, prefacing the plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Kerala is home to over 900 species of
Ayurvedic herbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Western Ghats, the mountain range that
runs through its eastern sector from the hills of Wayanad in <st1:place w:st="on">Northern
 Kerala</st1:place> to the southern Sahyadri peak, is an abundant reserve for
medicinal herbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">For instance, 'Agasthyakoodam' peak near the
state capital, believed to be abode of Sage Agasthya of Indian mythology, is
home to some of the rarest medicinal herbs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Under the Tourism Department's quality
assurance policy, visitors looking for therapeutic and rejuvenating programmes
would be guided by the 'Green Leaf' and 'Olive Leaf' grading for Ayurvedic
institutions, which marks 'Kerala Tourism approved Ayurvedic Centres,' a Kerala
Tourism release said on Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">In Kerala, a majority of foreign visitors
utilising the Ayurveda wellness programmes were from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region>,
the Middle East and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Australia</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">According to state Tourism Secretary Suman
Billa, "Ayurveda of Kerala is essentially wellness oriented, a treatment
to bring vigour and existence to your system. That is what the tourists are
looking for." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The Ayurvedic therapy programmes are
expected to push the length of holidays for tourists further. Under the
Ayurveda-focused tourism campaign, the average length of the holiday for
foreign tourists was expected to go up to 18 days per person from the present average
stay of 16.2 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The State is also transforming itself into
an Ayurveda therapy for illness besides the present pillar as a wellness
treatment destination. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">While certain illnesses like back pain are
already treated under Ayurveda, the Ayurvedic centres across the State will be
offering treatment for illnesses like respiratory ailments also. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">Another plan of the State to bring about a
convergence between different systems of medicine centring on holistic and
multidisciplinary hospitals offering treatment under traditional as well as
modern systems of medicine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS";">The State tourism had also decided to add
new destinations and new products, the release added. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Indian State Plans for Wellness Tourism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India, (NNN-Bernama) -- With the new tourism season round the corner, south Indian state Kerala has put in pl...

Subodh Kant Calls for Strengthening Wellness Tourism in the Country

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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtlZ1ReInN3qTyyDGr6f3zif4iFZLvgi9448ETC3034tb9PBk1mdlNB3NK9kESqXaOqKnv40hwZ4hHJ1rF8Va7gdbFq1v8KZrMICwoWolO7FRyq7EI2gQWsoWRBErUGeBZJUxRPJR64w/s1600/l2012072041428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtlZ1ReInN3qTyyDGr6f3zif4iFZLvgi9448ETC3034tb9PBk1mdlNB3NK9kESqXaOqKnv40hwZ4hHJ1rF8Va7gdbFq1v8KZrMICwoWolO7FRyq7EI2gQWsoWRBErUGeBZJUxRPJR64w/s320/l2012072041428.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Union Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">handing over the NABH accreditation certificate to the <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Chairman, Radisson Group of Hotels, Prem Kapoor, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">in New Delhi on July 20, 2012. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> Photo © PIB<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">NEW DELHI (PIB) --- Union Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai has called for strengthening wellness tourism in the country. Speaking on the occasion of handing over of National Accreditation Board for Hospital & Healthcare Providers (NABH) certificate to the ‘R’ Spa, Radisson Blu Hotel, New Delhi here today the Minister said India has good potential for Health Tourism and the same is yet to be exploited. He said “India has always been known for its rich heritage of wellness traditions and has enormous possibilities to offer to wellness seekers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Ministry of Tourism has identified ‘Wellness Tourism’ as one of the Niche Tourism Product. The Indian System of healing along with Yoga has been well </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">highlighted in the Incredible India campaigns of the Ministry of Tourism. In fact, Wellness as such has become a unique selling point of Indian tourism.” This is the first ever accreditation certificate given to a hotel spa in the country.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sahai said the quality of service involved with tourism plays an important role in the process of delivery of the products. Service quality is an intangible, but crucial area of interest to travel service providers. The guidelines for Accreditation of Wellness Centers have been developed by National Accreditation Board for Hospital & Healthcare Providers (NABH) and were released during a national level workshop. The Minister said his Ministry in association with NABH organized three sensitization workshops to encourage the wellness centers to adopt accreditations. Following this effort, the NABH has accredited six wellness centers including spas and five applications for accreditation are in the pipeline. The Tourism Minister informed that three Ayurveda hospitals have also been accredited while 11 applications are under process. He said, a committee on ‘Wellness Tourism’ has been constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Tourism with members from the stakeholders to discuss various matters relating to development and promotion of wellness tourism. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="direction: ltr; text-align: justify; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Global Spa & Wellness Summit has chosen India as the host country for its annual conference in 2013. This is a significant achievement and this event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism. </span></span></div></div>

Subodh Kant Calls for Strengthening Wellness Tourism in the Country

The Union Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahai handing over the NABH accreditation certificate to the Chairman, Radisson Group of Hotels, P...

Omanis Opting For India as Medical Tourism Destination

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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">DUBAI (NNN-Bernama) -- India is fast becoming a favourite destination for Omanis seeking advanced medicare, with the number of visas being issued for India witnessing a significant rise, reports Press Trust of India. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The number of medical visas issued to Omanis from Jan 1 to June 30 this year has jumped three times and that of other kinds of visas went up 30 per cent when compared to the same period last year, according to the Times of Oman report. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"There was a tremendous increase in the number of all kinds of visas issued to Omanis during the first half 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"The statistics reveal that India is turning into a prime destination for Omanis who opt for advanced treatment and also want to have a glimpse of the rich Indian cultural heritage," a senior official from the Indian embassy in Muscat was quoted as saying by the newspaper. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">India's southern Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, states, western Maharashtra state and national capital New Delhi are the top five destinations where Omanis visited for medical treatment during the last six months. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"The rise in the number of medical visas shows that India is turning into a medicare hub. India has state-of-the-art medical facilities, experienced medics, affordable and quality nursing facilities, cheap medicines, and traditional healthcare centres. This has led to a rush in medical tourism," the official said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The Indian Embassy in Muscat issues medical, tourism, business and student visas for Omanis who seek treatment for cardiovascular, gastroenterology, orthopaedic, oncology, ophthalmology and dental ailments. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"After their return from India, many Omanis say that due to cultural similarities and historical ties, they feel they are at home," the official said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"I took my wife for allergy treatment to Kerala a few weeks ago. She received the best available treatment and now she is fine. The facilities are world-class and treatment quite cheap," Fahad Al-Kharousi, an oil company employee said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">"The processing of official papers for going to India for medical purposes is much easier compared to any other country. Moreover, the facilities we get there are the best," he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Local agencies say visa enquiries for treatment in India are very high in Oman. -- NNN-BERNAMA<o:p></o:p></span></div></div>

Omanis Opting For India as Medical Tourism Destination

DUBAI (NNN-Bernama) -- India is fast becoming a favourite destination for Omanis seeking advanced medicare, with the number of visas being ...