The lively nation of India treats foreigners as Gods. India is more than just a destination; it is a transforming experience in which "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) and "Atithi Devo Bhava" (the guest is God) come to life. India is witnessing rapid growth in wellness tourism, and thousands of foreigners visit India for various procedures including healing, wellness, and holistic health segments. With a long history of holistic healing practices like Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy, India has emerged as a popular destination for wellness tourism. Improved infrastructure and logistics, improved communication technologies, a large number of semi-luxury hotels and resorts, and an abundance of manpower in the space are all contributing to the industry's growth. The wellness tourism industry is currently worth USD 23 billion and is expected to reach USD 140 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 30%. According to a report by GWI, the global wellness economy will exceed USD 7 trillion by 2025. India's health tourism business is predicted to reach $13 billion by 2026, with over 2 million overseas patients visiting the country each year. Wellness vacations can greatly enhance physical health by lowering stress, increasing immunity, and encouraging weight loss. They can also improve your mental and emotional health by lowering anxiety and depression and increasing relaxation and peace of mind. In addition, wellness retreats can offer opportunities for spiritual growth.
Why India is a favourite destination for foreigners in terms of wellness
For foreign travellers looking for authentic, immersive wellness experiences, India offers a wealth of natural settings and therapies rooted in centuries-old practices. Wellness tourism is defined as travel designed to promote health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. Unlike medical tourism, which focuses on treating specific health concerns, wellness tourism includes preventive care and the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Yoga retreats, Ayurvedic treatments, meditation camps, spa therapies, and naturopathic consultations are also popular activities. India has emerged as a global hotspot for wellness tourism due to its traditional wellness practices that provide comprehensive health advantages. As a country rich in spiritual heritage, India provides a wide selection of wellness retreats, generally located against picturesque landscapes that enhance the sensation of relaxation.
Affordable wellness treatment: Compared to other nations offering similar services, India's wellness programs are highly reasonable, making it an appealing destination for visitors from Europe, the US, and other parts of Asia where alternative treatments can be costly.
Rich heritage and holistic therapies: Ayurveda and yoga originated in India, and both are world-renowned for improving long-term health and well-being. These systems provide natural cures and spiritual practices that emphasize the balance of mind, body, and spirit. These therapies promise natural remedies, minimal side effects, and comprehensive healing approaches, which have become increasingly appealing to global travellers.
Diverse Geographical and Climate Zones: India’s diverse geography offers varied settings for wellness retreats, from the serene beaches of Kerala to the peaceful Himalayan valleys. This variety allows wellness seekers to choose environments that suit their personal needs, whether they seek solitude, natural beauty, or spiritual ambience.
Rising Global Popularity of Alternative Healing: With growing awareness of wellness and preventive care, foreigners are embracing alternative forms of healing. Yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda are increasingly recognized as effective supplements or alternatives to conventional medical treatments, which has driven many international tourists to India.
Accredited wellness centre: The Indian government assures that all wellness centres that provide AYUSH therapies are accredited and maintain high levels of care. This ensures that foreign visitors receive authentic and expert services.
Top wellness tourism destinations in India
India has been the strongest player when it comes to medical tourism and the country is known for its wellness and holistic approach, with Ayurveda, Yoga and spiritual tourism. This is especially true given that UK and European visas for India are once again easier to obtain, making travel to India more manageable. The uncertainty of prior years appears to be behind us, and travellers are beginning to revert to normal vacation routines. Here are some of the famous wellness tourism destinations of India.
Kerala: Amidst the breathtaking view and known as “God’s Own Country,” Kerala is one of India’s most popular wellness tourism hubs. It offers an abundance of Ayurvedic resorts, therapies, and personalized health retreats along with scenic backwaters, lush green landscapes, and coconut groves. For example, Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is a popular Ayurvedic wellness retreat in Kovalam, Kerala, India, best recognized for its extensive Ayurvedic wellness programs and treatments. The resort employs qualified Ayurvedic doctors and therapists who offer tailored consultations and treatments based on Ayurvedic principles. These treatments frequently involve herbal massages, detoxification therapy, dietary advice, and yoga.
Rishikesh: The yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh is known for its yoga retreats and spiritual ambience. This town draws thousands of foreigners each year to study under expert yogis. Rishikesh already has hundreds of popular Yoga centres, Ayurvedic clinics, and ashrams. Rishikesh, like Haridwar and Narendra Nagar, is poised to capture a significant piece of India's wellness tourist market soon. For example, Ananda in the Himalaya Rishikesh is a perfect wellness retreat designed to help guests achieve their wellness goals, whether they wish to detoxify, lose weight, improve their sleep, relax or rejuvenate.
Goa: Beyond its reputation for beaches and nightlife, Goa has developed into a centre for wellness tourism, offering Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, and detox programs. The laid-back coastal environment makes it ideal for wellness travellers. For example, Ashiyana Yoga and Wellbeing in Goa provide the best Ayurvedic treatments with spa therapies, creating the ideal balance of relaxation and recovery. They promote holistic wellness by addressing the physical, mental and emotional aspects of well-being, which includes stress management, detoxification and lifestyle modifications.
Tamil Nadu: Sound Spa by Svatma, in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is the place to be if you enjoy swimming in the soothing sounds and vibrations of sound healing sessions helped by instruments to open, clear, and balance your chakras and release blocked energy. Current research indicates that sound healing synchronises brain waves to produce a profound level of relaxation and aids in the restoration of the normal vibratory frequencies of cells in the body.
Government initiative regarding wellness tourism
According to a report by Greater Kashmir, on the International Day of Yoga (IDY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned that more than 130 countries participated in the yoga event at the UN Headquarters and was also pleased that the Yoga Certification Board, which was established by the Ministry of Ayush, had recognized more than 100 Indian institutes and ten prominent overseas institutions. PM Modi emphasized that the number of individuals doing yoga is expanding globally, and its appeal is always rising.
The Ministry of Tourism formulated a “National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical Wellness and Medical Tourism” in 2023 to boost medical tourism in the country. The goal of this program is to develop India as a brand in terms of wellness destination, strengthen the ecosystem for medical and wellness tourism, enable digitalisation by establishing an online medical value travel (MVT) portal, improve accessibility for medical value travel, and create a governance and institutional framework.
The Ministry of Tourism has been heavily involved in the endeavour to accredit wellness centres through NABH and AYUSH, as well as interaction with Wellness Tourism Service Providers, State Governments, and others. As part of this program, India highlights its rich tradition in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This campaign, part of the Incredible India series, invites the globe to experience India's holistic approach to health.
PM Modi has also announced the 'Chalo India' campaign to involve the Indian diaspora in promoting India to non-Indian friends. As part of this campaign, the Indian diaspora invites their non-Indian friends to explore the magnificence of Incredible India. This program is consistent with India's strategic goal of increasing inbound tourism and establishing the country as a leading global travel destination, according to the statement. According to a recent report by ‘The Economic Times’, a total of 9.5 million foreign tourists visited India during 2023, out of which 0.92 million visits were from the UK, making it the third largest source market for inbound tourists to India.
Medical and health tourism have been notably promoted at international venues such as the World Travel Mart, London, ITB, Berlin, and the Arabian Travel Mart. 'Medical Visa' has been introduced, which can be issued to international tourists visiting India for medical treatment. The 'E-Medical Visa' has also been introduced for 166 nations to get benefits.
India's wellness tourism industry presents a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation for foreign tourists. Combining the wisdom of ancient practices with modern conveniences, India’s wellness tourism industry is well-positioned to offer unique, life-changing experiences. As interest in holistic health continues to grow globally, India’s wellness destinations will continue to attract international visitors seeking rejuvenation, cultural immersion, and personal healing in the land of spirituality and holistic wisdom.
