Wellness tourism in India: Ayush visa promotes yoga and treatment with traditional medicines, and tropical Kerala state hopes to be a prime beneficiary
- India is offering Ayush visas to tourists visiting for yoga retreats and to receive treatment using traditional Indian medicine such as Ayurveda
- Kerala in India’s southwest, popular for its tropical climate and beaches, and backwater boat trips, is promoting its Ayurvedic treatment capabilities
The birthplace of Ayurveda, India is aiming to make the traditional system of medicine its next big tourist draw.
The government recently introduced a new category of visa, the Ayush, to facilitate travel for foreign nationals seeking treatment according to traditional systems of medicine.
Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the new visa category would boost health tourism by appealing to those in search of such treatments.
To be granted an Ayush visa (US$80 for up to six months; US$120 for 12 months), applicants must submit supporting medical documents from an accredited Ayush institution where they will be treated and a prescription or medical history document from an accredited hospital in their home country.
Ayush visas can also be obtained for those accompanying and assisting a patient.
