New Delhi: The Centre has outlined a comprehensive strategy to promote Ayush-based tourism, with Kerala receiving support to strengthen Ayurveda research, healthcare infrastructure, quality standards and international medical value travel.
The Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush and other stakeholders. An Ayush Visa was introduced in July 2023 to facilitate international visitors seeking Ayush treatments.
The Ministry of Ayush has also partnered with the India Tourism Development Corporation to promote medical value travel in Ayurveda and other traditional systems. Medical Value Travel Summits have been held in Mumbai and Chennai, with Kerala participating in the southern-zone summit.
Kerala has several major Ayush research institutions, including the National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma (NARIP), Cheruthuruthy, and the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Thiruvananthapuram. The National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam, is currently undertaking 34 research programmes.
The Centre is also providing financial assistance to Kerala under the National Ayush Mission (NAM) for medicines, human resources, infrastructure, equipment and upgrading of Ayush healthcare facilities.
Two Centres of Excellence have been approved in Kerala under the Ayurswasthya Yojana. Support is also being provided for research on medicinal plants.
To improve global acceptance of Ayurveda, the government is promoting international quality certification, including WHO pharmaceutical product certification, Ayush Standard and Premium Marks and ISO standards covering Ayurveda and Yoga.
According to the Kerala government, 77 Ayush healthcare organisations in the state have received NABH accreditation, strengthening the state’s potential as a destination for international wellness and medical tourism.
A 14-member Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Standardization Committee has also been constituted in Kerala to address challenges faced by the traditional medicine manufacturing sector and strengthen quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
