Medical Tourism in India: Possibilities and Problems of Alternative Medical Treatment

Abstract

This study aims to explore the problems and potential of medical tourism in India. India has become one of the destination countries for medical tourists from around the world. However, due to issues at both the policy and operational levels, India, like many other such countries, faces several problems in the development of its medical tourism industry. Indian medical tourism can be divided into four categories: surgical treatment, cosmetic surgery, alternative medical treatment, and wellness treatment. In this study, the authors focus on alternative medical treatment and wellness tourism and explore the possibilities and problems.Results of the current study show that India's medical tourism industry has potential, as international tourists can visit India at a relatively low cost, there is an easy visa process. India offers world-class and standardized medical services, services for alternative medical treatment, and more. Nonetheless, to realize this potential, the medical tourism industry in India must address with a variety of problems, including the absence of standardized herbal drugs and medicines as well as authentic raw materials, lagging processing technologies, the need for improved infrastructure, and lack of sufficient training for non-medical staff in cross-cultural sensitivity and language skills.

The Effects and Challenges of COVID-19 in the Hospitality and Tourism Sector in India

“…It is because India off ers the latest technology, medical devices, and services at a lower cost than other countries. Th e Indian m edical tourism sector's services may also off er low-cost wellness tourism, alternative treatments, and cosmetic surgery (Gautam & Bhatta, 2020).It is considered that it will be a big issue in the future to revive fully Indian medical tourism, which is almost stopped now, even aft er the pandemic. COVID-19 may signifi cantly change destination marketing services, as well.…”

Egypt as a Destination for Health Tourism: Opportunities and Obstacles

“…Health tourism also encompasses alternative therapies based on traditional medicine and ancient practices. These therapies may include herbal remedies, aromatherapy massages, soothing music, meditation, yoga, specialized sports exercises, healthy nutrition, as well as psychotherapy and psychological consultations (Gautam & Bhatta, 2020).…”

A systematic review of traditional health tourism: A priori of wellness tourism

“…This increasing demand has led to the emergence of diverse and specialized wellness tourism offerings, including a form focused on traditional and alternative therapies known as "traditional health tourism (THT)" (Smith & Jenner, 2000;Hofer, Honegger & Hubeli, 2012). As scholars have noted, THTs incorporate locally rooted healthcare practices into tourism experiences, ranging from Ayurveda in India to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China (Gautam & Bhatta, 2020;He, 2015;Subhash et al, 2010). While the broader field of wellness tourism has received much attention, there is still a need to specifically examine this subfield of THT to fully understand its significance and future directions within wellness tourism research and practice.…”