Medical Tourism Conference focusing on Health, Wellness, and Medicine commences at Punjab University (PU)
In the bustling city of Chandigarh, Panjab University played host to the international conference, "Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism in India: Status, Trends & Future Prospects." The event, organised by the University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), under the aegis of HOSTOCON, brought together speakers from across the country and abroad to discuss the current trends and future prospects of India's medical, health, and wellness tourism industry.
One of the key discussions revolved around India's growing prowess in the medical tourism sector. Prof. R.K. Gupta highlighted that medical tourists flock to India for a wide range of treatments, including dental, cosmetic, cardiovascular, and neurological procedures. Dr. Subhash Sharma further emphasised India's competence in offering high-quality medical treatments at competitive prices, positioning the country as a leader in the promotion of medical tourism.
The growth of India's healthcare industry is projected to be significant, with the sector expected to grow to a $280 billion industry by 2020. This growth trajectory is fuelled by strategic national initiatives such as the "Heal in India: Catalysing Medical and Wellness Tourism for a Healthier Global Future" report, launched at the conference. This report proposes a comprehensive strategy that integrates India’s advanced clinical expertise with its centuries-old wellness traditions to position India as a trusted global destination for medical value travel.
The report also recommends fiscal incentives such as tax exemptions for hospitals treating international patients, increased subsidies under marketing assistance schemes, and 100% foreign direct investment in healthcare infrastructure including wellness centers. There is a focus on supporting health-tech startups and digital health innovations that propel medical tourism forward.
The strategy includes launching global branding campaigns, leveraging Indian embassies, expos, digital platforms, and national/state-level “Heal in India” missions. This aims to build trust and showcase not only medical competence but also compassion and quality service delivery, which are emerging as key differentiators.
While prospects are robust, certain bottlenecks remain such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory challenges, and the need for coordinated multi-stakeholder efforts to fully unlock India's potential. The conference and report outline a roadmap addressing these hurdles to foster sustainable growth.
The conference also delved into acute technology issues and business challenges faced by both the tourism and healthcare sectors. Willy Kipkorir Bett, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in Kenya, and Dr. Marina Ambrosecchio, President and founder of UET Italia, were among the dignitaries delivering speeches at the event.
With a strong recovery post-pandemic, as signalled by the issuance of over 463,000 medical visas in 2024, stakeholders at the conference emphasised the strategic importance of medical and wellness tourism in contributing to India’s tourism economy, which is expected to reach $3 trillion in the near future.
In summary, the conference highlighted that India's combination of clinical excellence, traditional wellness heritage, improving policy support, and focused branding is expected to drive the medical, health, and wellness tourism sector into a top global position within the coming decade.
- The growth of India's healthcare industry, fueled by strategic initiatives, is projected to make it a leader in health-and-wellness tourism, attracting medical tourists seeking a wide range of treatments such as dental, cosmetic, cardiovascular, and neurological procedures.
- The promotion of medical, health, and wellness tourism in India is not only about offering high-quality treatments at competitive prices, but also about showcasing India's cultural lifestyle, including its centuries-old wellness traditions, as part of a compelling travel experience for tourists.
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