As per information provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the details of foreign tourist arrivals in India during the last three years for medical purpose are as under:
| Year | Number of Foreign Tourist arrivals for medical purpose |
| 2015 | 2,33,918 |
| 2016 | 4,27,014 |
| 2017 | 4,95,056 |
Realizing the potential to develop and promote Wellness and Medical Tourism as a niche product in the country, the Ministry of Tourism has formulated guidelines for the promotion of Medical Tourism. As per the guidelines following assistance is provided to eligible stakeholders:
- Financial Assistance for participating in fairs/events/road shows approved by the Ministry in the overseas markets under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme.
- Financial Assistance in the ratio 50:50 for making publicity and promotional material subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.10.00 Lakh.
- Financial Assistance up to a maximum of Rs.25.00 Lakh on 50:50 sharing basis for organizing Wellness & Medical Tourism promotion shows.
- Permission for the use of Incredible India logo for the Wellness & Medical Tourism promotion events, films, literature etc.
- Financial support for training courses focused on skill providing, skill up-gradation and skill certification for the persons engaged in Wellness & Medical Tourism sector as per the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP) Scheme guidelines of the Ministry of Tourism.
- Provision of space to Wellness and/or Medical Tourism Associations at major international fairs for promoting Wellness & Medical Tourism at cost.
In addition to above, the Ministry of Tourism has taken various steps to boost medical tourism which inter-alia include:
- Launch of campaigns in the international markets including for medical tourism under the Incredible India brand-line; conducting Road Shows, Know India Seminars etc.
- Ministry produces brochures, CDs, films and other publicity materials for promotion of Medical & Health Tourism. Medical tourism is being promoted on social media across various platforms.
- Government of India launched e-Tourist Visa in September, 2014 for easing of the visa regime has been expanded to include medical visits as well. Medical and Medical Attendant Visa have been introduced to ease the travel process of medical tourists.
In order to provide dedicated institutional framework to take forward medical tourism, a ‘National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board’ has been constituted which works as an umbrella organization that promotes this segment of tourism in an organized manner.
This information was given by Minister of State (I/C) for Culture & Tourism, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
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