Impact of medical tourism on Indian healthcare sector

Abstract

India is emerging as a prime destination for health and contributing a lot towards the social- economic development of the society by enhancing employment opportunities and an increase in foreign exchange earnings and helping in uplifting the living standards of the host community by developing infrastructure and high quality education system.Medical tourism is a modern concept as it plays an important role in shaping the future of medical care globally, as the technology, economy, and other global relations are growing rapidly. There is an increase in evidence that medical tourists seek help from medical travel facilitators in order to avoid critical preparations in finding reliable providers, and ensuring trouble-free and safe travel arrangements. The practice of medical tourism mostly depends on providing information for potential patients about treatment facilities, procedure options, tourism opportunities, travel arrangements, and which country. Medical tourism in India attracts millions of foreigners and domestic tourists to visit incredible heritage of our country and enjoy the medicinal blessings as in traditional Vedas and Upanishads. India is full of well trained, qualified and experienced medical paramedical professionals and doctors.The study aims towards the development of trends of the medical tourism and to highlight the importance of medical tourism for the development of economies. It is also focused towards the management of the international healthcare providers in adopting strategies in achieving greater medical tourists’ satisfaction.Medical tourism is an opportunity for the developing countries that should take advantage of the favorable international context and try investing in creative and promoting a new competitive medical touristic offer. Trends in medical tourism development are involving the medical service trade but also a combination of specific activities of many other sectors like travel, hospitality, safety, health system, government strategies, destination management and marketing, education, research and sustainability.