Last year almost 10.2 million foreigners came to India which was 15.6 per cent rise over 2016. The number of tourists from the Gulf countries coming for medical treatment has been constantly rising. The income from medical tourism could exceed the $8 billion mark by 2020.India possesses world-class hospitals and effective tertiary care facilities, it excels in yoga and Ayurveda opening the opportunities to wellness tourism.
Getting visas is now more liberalized with the introduction of e-visa in 2014 which facilitated planning the visit for international tourists from 163 countries. The period of application has been increased to 120 days. E-tourist and e-business visas allow double entry and e-medical visas – triple entry. The duration of stay has been prolonged from 30 to 60 days. With e-visas visitors can enter through 24 airports and five seaports, which include cruise tourists.Indian philosophies ‘the world is one family’ and ‘the guest is equivalent to god’ underpin tourism.
MICE and pilgrimage and heritage destinations are also important.
High-quality Healthcare Is Essential for Medical Tourism in India
News in Asia
Indian tourism is experiencing the boom time of internal and international travel. Not only historical attractions guide the visitors, but also medical or wellness trips from the GCC countries.