By Atul Kothari, National Secretary, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas
Thanks to its undisputed prowess in traditional medicine systems that has developed over several millennia, India has the appeal for wellness tourists that few other places do. Our country must consolidate strengths and capitalize on the opportunity at hand in the wellness tourism domain. A mix of adroit policy maneuvers and adept marketing may well take India to the position of becoming the hub of wellness tourism.
Ayurveda and Yoga are age-old practices in Indian culture that have influenced many across the globe. As a form of traditional medicine, yoga, through movements, breathing and meditation, helps expand awareness, improve balance, increase intellect, lower anxiety, and manage weight to maintain good overall mental, physical, and emotional health. As the global center and home of the practice, India takes pride in being the hub of yoga, with the many world-class offerings of wellness resorts, ashram retreats and yoga meditation centers for those looking to indulge in wellness in self-care. The last decade has witnessed a rise in wellness tourism globally with the exponential growth of the wellness sector. Estimated at USD639.4 billion in 2017 by the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism segments. Wellness tourism, globally, is growing at 6.5% annually, more than twice as fast as tourism overall. This segment is forecasted to grow even faster through 2022 at a yearly growth of 7.5% to reach USD919 billion. With a variety of offerings such as Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and Sowa Rigpa, apart from other wellness solutions, India’s wellness sector has immense potential for growth as it attracts tourists from all over the globe. We have, what it takes to become the holistic wellness capital of the world.
While the pandemic dented tourism forcing restricted access to locations – both domestic and international – it also…
