(a) whether the Government has implemented any scheme for the development and promotion of medical tourism in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has formulated any plan to increase India''s share in world tourism market and steps taken to make India a hub of medical tourism; and
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the details of country''s present share in world tourism market?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) and (b): Yes, Madam. The development and promotion of tourism primarily is the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism as part of its ongoing promotional activities releases campaigns in the international and domestic markets and also undertakes other promotional activities including promotion of Medical Tourism.
A National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board has been constituted to provide a dedicated institutional framework to take forward the cause of promotion of Medical Tourism, Wellness Tourism and Yoga, Ayurveda Tourism and any other format of Indian system of medicine covered by Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). The Board works as an umbrella organization that governs and promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner. It has representatives from AYUSH, Quality Council of India, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).
For promoting quality in the healthcare sector the NABH provides accreditation to hospitals and wellness centres for adhering to quality standards. Under the MDA scheme, Ministry of Tourism also provides incentives to stakeholders accredited by NABH.
(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The Government has launched various schemes like introduction of facility of e-Tourist Visa for the citizens of 150 countries at 16 airports including extension of Visa on Arrival facility to nationals of Japan; 24x7 Toll Free Multilingual Tourist Info Line handling ten international languages besides Hindi and English and introduction of Medical Visa and Medical Attendant Visa as separate categories to facilitate entry of medical tourists with a view to increase India’s share in the world tourism market and to make India a hub of medical tourism.
The present share of India in International Tourist arrivals is 0.68%.
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