Kerala targets 20% of Indian medical tourism

Kochi, Nov 26 (UNI) Kerala Tourism Principal Secretary E K Bharat Bhushan today said the state was targeting to achieve 20 per cent of the Indian medical tourism in the future.

Addressing a gathering at an inaugural function of Fathima Healthcare Management Services here, Mr Bhushan said the tourism sector in the state was aiming to grope in 20 per cent of the medical tourism in the country with a total earning of Rs 1500 to 2000 crore in the next 10 years.

He said the state has great potential to meet the target with world class health infrastructure, monopoly over Ayurveda, first world health parameters, no waiting period and cost advantage compared to other states and countries.

To promote the immense potential of medical tourism in the state, road shows would be held in Gulf Countries, Sri Lanka and Maldives in the coming days, he added.

To streamline the sector, Mr Bhushan said active accreditation of various hospitals and clinics should be undertaken and policies should be chalked out to synergise different systems of medicine for the benefit of the tourists.

He noted that medical tourism should be perfectly blended with travel and tourism as the state was a favoured tourist destination.

The growth of the tourism in the state was 11.6 per cent with an investemnt of Rs 500 crore per year, he added.

Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) chairman Cherian Philip said the government and people should take initiative to tap the opportunities in medical tourism in the state.

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