According to the CII-McKinsy report, medical tourism industry in Kerala is expected to be worth $4 billion by 2017. This sector will bring in as much as $2 billion by 2012 as compared to an estimated $333 million in 2006-07. While medical tourists from Germany, France, Switzerland and the US prefer ayurveda treatment, those from West Asia and the UK give more importance to modern medicine.
"Kerala has an immense potential to develop the scope of health tourism in the country. It can become the hub and one of the most preferred destinations in the world for potential health tourists," Sri Lankan minister for minor export crop promotion Reginald Cooray said on Friday. He was inaugurating the two-day international conference and exhibition on health tourism, Kerala Health Tourism 2011, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Hotel Le Meridien.
"Kerala has become an excellent brand by itself in the health tourism sector either because of its reputation in modern as well as traditional systems of treatment like ayurveda, yoga, meditation and homoeopathy or its cost effectiveness. The lengthy costal belt, peculiar geographical location, lusty back waters, a large number of beaches, serene hillocks, moderate climate throughout the year and highly literate populace also have contributed," he said.
Dr Philip Augustine, chairman of the conference and director and CEO of Lakeshore Hospital, said that the medical tourism industry in the state was expected to be worth $4 billion by 2017.
"Ayurveda sector pioneered the whole concept of health tourism in Kerala which is also witnessing a surge in dental and modern medicine for the cost that is around six to ten times lower than anywhere in the world," he said.
Umang Patodia, former chairman of CII, highlighted the preparedness of Indian hospitals to meet the global demands in health tourism with its resources and infrastructure.
The event has brought major hospitals, health insurance companies, policy-makers, tourism promotion boards, hotels and resorts, health, travel and tour operators and international institutions for promotion of health tourism under one roof.
The exhibition being held in connection with the conference is showcasing the products and services of leading hospitals, national and international insurance companies, third-party administrators and travel and tour operators.
Source:TNN
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