Inaugurating a day long “MEDICAL AND WELLNESS TOURISM SUMMIT 2015 – Destination Brand India organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) & Civil Aviation, Government of India, Dr. Mahesh Sharma shared that the Medical & Wellness Tourism potential of our country is least talked and the need of the hour is to have a holistic approach and consolidate all the parameters of General Tourism with this niche sector.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is in the process of formulating a National Medical & Wellness Tourism Board to promote and market India as the choice destination for Medical & Wellness Tourism, and inviting PHD Chamber and relevant private stakeholders to aid in organizing this sector and cash in on its hidden potential that hitherto stays untapped and unexplored said Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and Civil aviation, Government of India.
Dr Mahesh Sharma complimented PHD Chamber for organising a focussed seminar on this sector and urged the private stakeholders to utilize and promote the strengths of India – in its Traditional Treatments, like Ayurveda, Yoga and the best quality doctors.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India is working as a facilitator and has already worked on the issues of E Visa, being granted to 113 countries thus encouraging more tourists to enjoy the untapped facilities in these areas, informed Dr. Sharma.
Dr Sharma invited PHD Chamber and private sector to nominate their representatives for the proposed National Medical & Wellness Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India to forge partnerships and guide the growth momentum in this sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr A. K. Ganeriwala, IFS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India shared that their Ministry has started a mission to promote Ayurveda and Yoga worldwide. Ayurveda and other Traditional medicines are being recognised as an alternate system of treating various serious diseases and are also being integrated in alternative treatments.
Mr Girish Shankar, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism said the programme was very well timed and the government and the private industry in India needs to work in collaboration to compete with the other upcoming Asian markets in this sector.
In the Welcome Address, Mr. Gopal Jiwarajka, Vice President, PHD Chamber said Medical tourism in India is a multibillion dollar provider industry and attracting millions of foreign tourists and domestic tourists to visit incredible heritage of our country and enjoying the medicinal blessings of traditional Vedas and Upanishads.
Mr. Vijay Mehta, Chairman, Tourism Committee of the Chamber along with Mr. Z U Siddiqui, Managing Dirctor & CEO, Delhi Tourism & Transportation Development Corporation Ltd.; Mr. Tomasz Lukaszuk, Ambassador, Embassy of Poland; Mr. Radu Octavian Dobre, Charge D’Affairs, Embassy of Romania; CMA Avjit Goswami, Central Council Member & Chairman Research and Journal Committee, Institute of Cost Accountants of India and Mr. Yogesh Srivastav, Director, PHD Chamber addressed the inaugural Session.