Medical tourism event focusing on health, wellness, and medicine commences at Punjab University
The two-day international conference on "Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism in India" commenced at Panjab University in Chandigarh, bringing together speakers from across the country and abroad to discuss the current trends, challenges, and future prospects of India's burgeoning medical tourism industry.
Organised by the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), Panjab University under the aegis of HOSTOCON, the conference was aligned with findings from the latest "Heal in India: Catalysing Medical and Wellness Tourism for a Healthier Global Future" report by the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) and KPMG.
**Current Trends:**
India's medical tourism market is projected to grow from USD 18.2 billion in 2025 to USD 58.2 billion by 2035, reflecting a strong compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. The sector is boosted by streamlined visa policies, including special e-Medical and AYUSH visas, which allow multiple entries and extended stays for patients from over 160 countries.
India ranks 10th globally in medical tourism and 7th in wellness tourism, indicating its increasing global appeal in both curative and preventive healthcare sectors. Nearly 2 million patients from 78 countries currently visit India for medical and wellness services, emphasising India's role as a notable international healthcare destination.
**Challenges Identified:**
The ecosystem remains fragmented and lacks integration, causing difficulties for international patients in finding verified information and navigating healthcare options. The absence of a unified online portal for medical tourism impairs transparency and ease of access for global patients. Variability in pricing, quality of care, and follow-up services reduces patient trust and consistency in experience.
Healthcare providers, especially in Tier II and III cities, face considerable challenges in marketing and brand recognition internationally.
**Future Prospects and Recommendations:**
The report recommends offering tax incentives and fiscal support for hospitals treating international patients and for startups working in health-tech, medical research, and digital health solutions to accelerate growth and innovation in medical tourism.
Enhancing global branding efforts through embassies, expos, and digital platforms is critical to raising India’s profile as a medical and wellness tourism hub. Launching ‘Heal in India’ missions at national and state levels could unify and strengthen promotional initiatives.
India’s medical tourism sector is also poised to benefit from digital initiatives like Digital Health IDs and the Ayushman Bharat scheme, improving healthcare accessibility and integration. Patient-centric reforms such as insurance portability and simplified visa processes are crucial to sustaining growth and attracting more international patients.
India, with its use of various herbs and spices in its kitchens, has potential healing properties for various diseases and ailments. This unique aspect of Indian culture could further enhance India's appeal as a destination for medical and wellness tourism.
The conference also saw the presence of dignitaries such as Willy Kipkorir Bett, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Kenya, and Dr. Marina Ambrosecchio, the President and founder of UET Italia, who shared their insights on issues related to Indian tourism.
In summary, the conference emphasised India's promising growth trajectory in medical, health, and wellness tourism, supported by strong policy initiatives and market potential. However, addressing fragmentation, quality assurance, and marketing challenges remain essential for India to fully realise its ambition of becoming a global medical hub by 2035.
- The "Heal in India" report highlights the significance of the science-backed traditional medicine practices in India, especially the use of herbs and spices, as a potential boon for attracting more patients to the medical and wellness tourism sector.
- To meet the projected growth in India's medical tourism industry, the conference proposed recommendations such as improving the digital presence of medical tourism, enhancing global branding efforts, and implementing patient-centric reforms in health and wellness, including fitness and exercise programs.
