Tag Archives: Medical Tourism

January 2025 Tourism Watch Quarterly Report by the World Bank Group noted that India’s initiatives such as e-Medical Visa and marketing campaigns like ‘Heal in India’ have bolstered India’s medical tourism. In 2023, the country attracted 476,000 foreign patients, which is among the highest in the world.

Reacting to the Budget-2025, Sunil Kumar, President, TAAI, said, “The Indian government’s recent budget reflects a strong commitment to boosting tourism. With initiatives like visa waivers to attract international tourists and upgrading 50 major tourist sites in collaboration with states, the focus is on positioning India as a top global destination. These measures, including investments in infrastructure and connectivity, are designed to enhance India’s tourism appeal. Visa waivers, in particular, will ease travel hurdles, inviting more foreign tourists and driving revenue.” He added that the government also emphasises medical tourism, recognising India’s world-class healthcare facilities. Through partnerships with the private sector, medical tourism is poised for growth. Furthermore, the Udaan scheme’s expansion to 120 destinations will facilitate travel, while Mudra loans for homestays will support affordable accommodation options.

Nirmala Sitharamann, Finance Minister, GoI said that medical tourism and ‘heal in India’ to be promoted in partnership with the private sector. In a bid to boost tourism, she revealed plans to promote medical tourism in partnership with the private sector and place special emphasis on destinations linked to the life and times of Lord Buddha. PM Gati Shakti data will be made accessible to the private sector, and the development of the top 50 tourist destinations will be carried out in partnership with state governments while adding that mudra loans to be provided to homestays. Presenting the Budget for 2025-26, Sitharaman also mentioned that hotels will also be included in the harmonised scheme for enhanced tourism infrastructure and financial support would be provided for the Western Kosi Canal project, which will benefit 50,000 hectares in the Mithilanchal region of Bihar.

According to SNS Insider Research, the global medical tourism industry is expected to be worth US$70.18 billion by 2032, which was initially valued at US$10.78 billion in 2023. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.52 per cent over the 2024–32 period.

Addressing the 2nd “Healthcare Summit” of the American Chamber of India, Jitendra Singh, MoS, Science & Technology, said, “Gone are the days when people used to visit other developed nations to access medical facilities, India has become the most sought-after destination for medical tourism and is among the frontline nations in preventive healthcare.” 

As per Future Insights Market forecast, India’s medical tourism is estimated to be valued at US$ 10,362.9 million in 2024. It is projected to surpass US$ 50,670.5 million by 2034. The industry growth in India is expected to develop at 17.20 per cent CAGR from 2024 to 2034. The surge is the result of rise in demand for cost-effective healthcare facilities.

Speaking during the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Round Table Discussion, Subhash Goyal, Chairman, ICC Tourism Committee, said, “As Tier I cities are already well connected through aviation, India needs to promote other domestic hubs like spiritual circuits, wildlife parks, islands, and the locations that are famous for Medical Tourism, which is a 5 trillion-dollar industry. Hence, the Aviation Ministry needs to develop these routes for better connectivity and access as it can boost the inbound numbers in India.”

Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Tourism, stressed on the importance of coming up with a new medical tourism policy. “In order to improve medical tourism, the government in the upcoming budget will include subsidies and benefits for patients coming to India,” he said.

Medical tourists to India has increased, rising from 1.83 lakh in 2020 to 5.04 lakh in 2023 (till October). Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy, stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has announced loans totalling $14.8 billion to enhance infrastructure.

Government of India’s e-Medical Visa and e-Medical Attendant Visa is permitting triple entry and extension up to 6 months on case to case basis on merits of each case by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers/Foreigners Registration Officer concerned.