Indian Hospitals, Wellness and Medical Tourism players join forces to make India the Global Healthcare Destination – Indian Medical Travel Associatio

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Leading Indian Hospitals, Healthcare providers (both Modern Medicine and Traditional Indian Medicine), Travel and Medical Tourism Industry providers have come together to form an industry association – Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) that aims to work together to make India the leading global healthcare destination. The phenomenon now popularly known as Medical Tourism is often cited as the next big opportunity for India after the IT outsourcing to earn billions of dollars in forex earnings and create jobs in the healthcare sector. So far only a select group of Indian hospitals have been making valiant attempts to market their services in international arena. More than a million overseas patients already treated at top Indian corporate hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Wockhardt, Max, Manipal and many others have already proved to the world that the clinical quality, technology and cost proposition offered by India is unmatched. The capacity in super specialty segment Indian hospitals is expanding fast and there is no waiting period for local or overseas patients. CII Mc’Kinsey study first reported on medical tourism as the billion dollar opportunity for India way back in 2002 and the steady growth in overseas patient arrivals has validated the potential. With a large number of new private super specialty hospitals and even integrated health cities coming up in India’s top ten cities, India has the potential to become the global leader in the Medical Travel/ Outsourcing industry. Indian doctors and professionals are world renowned for their skills and the country has abundance of all the inputs like talented young manpower, local high quality manufacturing base for pharmaceuticals, technology hardware and software that makes the Indian costs for high end surgical procedures so attractive. The challenge really is on the non medical side, primarily on the marketing front and also to create infrastructure and services to support the growth of medical tourism. Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) – a non profit body and a unified voice of the Indian healthcare (modern medicine as well as traditional Indian medicine) and travel industry is aimed at preparing India for facing the challenges of global competition and actualise the tremendous opportunity for India to become a leading global healthcare destination. Modern medicine as well as India’s 5000 year old traditional therapies like Ayurveda, Siddha and Yoga can offer to the world an unbeatable healing package. “IMTA would strive to help its members reach out in a cost effective manner to millions of our potential global consumers who reside on the other side of the globe in a different time and cultural zone and make them aware of the tremendous value that Indian healthcare offers. The fact is that prior to choosing a hospital, the international patients first decide on the country or the destination. Therefore we all must join hands to aggressively promote INDIA as a preferred global healthcare destination,” Says Pradeep Thukral, Executive Director, Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) The Government of India and its various arms are actively supporting the growth of medical tourism to India. In a message to IMTA, the Union Tourism Minister, Kumar Shailaja conveyed “This is indeed a commendable initiative and we all know the tremendous opportunity  that Medical Tourism presents for India. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, I would like to provide all possible support this industry initiative  and would like to wish IMTA and its members great success in their efforts. Two years ago the Government of India introduced a special category of Visa called M Visa for foreigners desirous of coming to India for medical treatment. India’s Ministry of Tourism has achieved phenomenal success in last five years with its much acclaimed “Incredible India “campaign that has multiplied the arrival of foreign tourists to India. The current year 2009 is being promoted by Indian Ministry of Tourism as “Visit India’” year and the ministry is keen to promote Medical Tourism. It has recently notified the Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to eligible Medical Tourism players which enables them to get financial support for participation in overseas promotional events.

Comments (0) Jan 25 2010

India as a luxury travel destination

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What is the first thought coming in your mind when you think of India?Probably most people would answer with clichés like poverty, noise andchaos. Although that side of India does decidedly exist – it’s only one facetof a country with a cultural richness promising marvelous travelexperiences. The opportunity of doing unique luxury tours through India willbroaden one’s horizon regarding the world’s second largest population- be it discovering the heritage sites of Old Delhi and visiting private ateliers of New Delhi-based fashion designers while staying in luxurious hotels such as Oberoi, Aman and The Imperial, or visiting  Tibetan Monasteries in the Indian Himalayas (belying onceagain the rich cultural diversity of India) traveling along the untouched foothills of the Himalayas, continuing with a hiking tour through hidden valleys full of mystical promises – discerning travelers don’t have to relinquish any luxury. Luxury tours in India do not consist only of  ordinary traveling combined with luxury hotels. It’s the added value that you get on every aspect of your journey.   You could sample luxury train travel through India that takes you through Rajasthan with its royal cities famous for its forts and palaces with majestic atmosphere all around. Of course with your own private butler who’d lay your bed and make sure that your personal toiletries are in stock. Even in the so called desert cities of Rajasthan – Jaisalmer and Bikaner which impresses with their superb architecture – people are able to travel in the lap of luxury due to the developed state of infrastructure for luxury travel in India. Man could immerse in – not only see the heritage, history and culture of India by staying in a heritage hotel like the Koder house, that had been a host to Presidents, Prime Ministers or Viceroys in Fort Cochin, to discover a melting pot of Chinese, Dutch, Portuguese and English influences and be indulged by Keralan cuisine. Even for naturalist, the jungle will provide high-class overnight stays in luxury safari lodges at the best place on earth for spotting the Bengal Tigers from a vehicle and fromelephant back that brings the experience of luxury safari in India’s breathtaking Bandhavgarh National Park. By traveling on a luxury tour through India the typical clichés about India will not disappear but people will keep a more positive image in their mind about the formerCrown Jewel of the British Empire.

Comments (0) Jan 22 2010

Majorca – A Popular Destination For UK Travellers

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Residents of United Kingdom who are seeking the ideal holiday destination should consider taking a trip to Majorca, Spain. This is the largest Spanish island and is located right in the Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the Balaeric Islands. One of the best aspects about travelling to Majorca from the United Kingdom is that there are several travel package options available.

When you are planning on going on holiday, you look for several different factors so that you can find the ideal destination. Naturally, you want to go somewhere that is warm, sunny and will afford beaches as well as a chance to relax under the sun.

In addition, most people today are concerned about price. Tourism in the United Kingdom is down, just as it is in other parts of the Western world. Package deals make the most sense for those who want to travel on their holiday as they can often save money. Package travel options ordinarily include air fare, but also accommodations as well as some attractions.

Palma is the capital of Majorca and has featured a population growth in recent years.  Palma is a city that relies very heavily upon tourism and there are many attractions in the city itself for tourists to see. Some of the points of interest that you will want to see when you visit Majorca are Bellver Castle, LaSeu, Coves del Drac, and Serra de Tramuntana to name a few. You can also see the Marivent Palace when you visit this island, which is where the members of the Spanish Royal Family holiday in the summer. This is a private residence, although you can view the area surrounding the palace and also see the sailing competition in which the family participates.

Spanish and Catalan are the languages spoken in Majorca, with the dialect of Catalan very prevalent and differing from village to village. However, if you know Spanish you will not have any problem communicating with the locals.  In most of the tourist areas, English is also spoken as well as German.

The summer months are naturally the hottest when visiting this island off of the coast of Spain. However, the weather in Majorca is mild throughout the year and will even be climate during the winter months of December and January. Tourist season is in the summer, which is when most of the travel packages are offered. However, if you are willing to go off season, you can find many good travel deals. An ideal time to visit Majorca is in October when the weather is still very warm, yet is considered to be off season.

When you are visiting Majorca from the United Kingdom, you should use a travel company that you can trust. They should be able to assist you in getting air fare as well as a desirable package that is affordable for your holiday. You will find that Majorca is a destination worth seeing as it offers everything from beaches, historic sites and sunny weather in a Mediterranean locale that is pleasant throughout the year.

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Comments (0) Jan 21 2010