TravTalk India Online Magazine
In recent years, a big draw for people visiting India has been healthcare, specifically alternative medicine. The Indian medical tourism industry was poised for a growth of about 200 per cent in 2020. Experts share their opinion and knowledge on the re-emergence on wellness, at the ‘Selling Happiness’ webinar on July 28 that was powered by TRAVTALK.
Zia Siddiqui, Managing Director, Alliance Hotels & Resorts
As soon as the skies open, people will be keen on choosing wellness holidays. Through wellness, they will try and release stress, attain calmness and connect with the good spirit. India has been home to yoga, meditation, spirituality and Ayurveda for ages. I expect that India will become the most visited destination for wellness, healing and happiness post COVID-19. Wellness tourism will be the most sold tourism product.
Guru Yogi Shivan, Director, Indimasi
In India, physical problems are solved through Ayurveda, mental issues can be attended through Siddhaveda. You
cannot buy health from shops; it should evolve from within. I believe that all our problems can be solved by looking within the Indian traditional system. India is teaching indigenous techniques for exploring the inner self. We should educate everybody to be healthy and in tune with Mother Nature.
Nuthan Manohar, CEO, Me Met Me
Serving happiness is the most important thing. When a client asks you about wellness, the whole idea is- how can I sell happiness and wellness, and start to understand what is coming? It is important to understand the age of the client; number of days they can take out; activities they prefer – whether outdoor or indoor, culture or knowledge-based; what is the objective- health and wellness or learning and exploring.
Dr V Madhavachandran, CTO, Rasayana Ayurveda
Ayurveda is all about how to overcome the disease, maintain health and achieve a happy, fruitful and long life.
Ayurveda advises a person to maintain a balanced health. It also teaches necessary processes to maintain health. Ayurveda is not just a preventive medicine but also a curative one. Our hospital, Rasayana Ayurveda, aims to provide a luxurious ambience under the supervision of senior doctors.
Questions to the panel
Do you have doctors and support staff that can speak European languages?
Guru Shivan: Yes, we have translators for assistance.
What itineraries would you recommend for a visit to Indimasi?
Guru Shivan: Four categories: 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days.
Why will wellness tourism do better than allopathic medicines?
Guru Shivan: Wellness tourism is also about inner happiness. At the end of the day, everyone is looking for containment, so wellness tourism will be the best and most sustainable type in the future.
Have you worked with foreign MICE groups coming to India?
Manohar: I primarily work on corporate workshops and yes, I have worked with big groups, corporates and companies.
For Ayurveda, what visa do you need to travel?
Dr Madhavachandran: For this, health visa is available and is ideal. At times, people do come with a tourist visa and in that case, we need to inform the authorities about the treatment.
Does insurance cover the medical cost of Ayurvedic treatments?
Dr Madhavachandran: Yes, Indian insurance does cover Ayurvedic treatment. Earlier, it was only 20 per cent of the treatment, but the new programme covers 100 per cent of the amount incurred.
Inputs by Manas Dwivedi
