During a recent Wellness & Medical Value Tourism Conclave organized by the Indian Chambers of Commerce (IMC) in Mumbai, experts unanimously emphasized the need for India to enhance its global image in order to fully leverage the potential of Medical Tourism.
Ajay Prakash, President of the Travel Agents Federation of India, expressed concerns about the underdevelopment of Medical Tourism in the country. He stressed the importance of addressing the global perception of India through government intervention. Prakash called for improved coordination and cooperation among stakeholders, suggesting the use of public-private partnerships (PPP) to seize opportunities in Medical Tourism. He also proposed dedicated spaces at tourism fairs, staffed by medical professionals and travel industry representatives, to showcase India's comprehensive treatment facilities.
Param Kannampilly, CMD of Concept Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., The Fern Hotels & Resorts, acknowledged India's immense potential in Medical Tourism but highlighted the need to overcome the significant waiting time for approvals. Kannampilly emphasized the importance of long-term guests for the hospitality industry and emphasized the necessity of available beds in hospitals to accommodate new patients. Therefore, he advocated for a reevaluation of the post-operative care aspect of Medical Tourism.
Farhat Jamal, Chairman of the Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Committee at IMC, served as the moderator of the discussion and noted that the hospitality industry was not adequately capitalizing on post-operative care opportunities, an important area for hotels to focus on.
Vivek Braganza, Assistant Vice President of the Shangri-La Group, recognized the challenges but also highlighted the opportunities available. He emphasized the importance of fine-tuning the consumer experience, with the impression of the destination being a crucial factor. Braganza used Singapore's Medical Tourism infrastructure as an example, citing its excellent destination attractiveness, safety & security, and value of care. He stressed that India should further improve its destination attractiveness to fully realize the potential of Medical Tourism.