Medical Tourism is gaining momentum in developing countries. Medical Tourism is a developing concept whereby people from world over visit India for their medical and relaxation needs. The reason India is a favorable destination is because of its infrastructure and technology in which is in par with those in USA, UK and Europe. Apart from the treatments being more cost effective, we can boost the five star medical facilities, highly qualified doctors and English communication skill of the doctors and Para-medical staff. Furthermore, India also serves as a highly sought-after tourist destination which is an added incentive. An estimated 150,000 medical tourist’s travel to India for low-priced healthcare procedures every year. The US$ 50 billion-a-year health care industry of India is expected to grow at 15% annually to reach US$ 275.6 billion by 2020. The contribution of healthcare to India’s GDP has risen in the last few years and this sector has the potential to become an engine of growth for the nation as it can create 70 - 80 million jobs in the next 10 years, adding 2 to 3 per cent annually to GDP. The major advantages of the medical tourism industry in India are its ‘cost effectiveness and competency’ along with the attractions of tourism. The slogan thus is ‘world-class treatment’ at ‘one-by-tenth prices’. The total cost, including airfare, hospital expenses, hotel accommodation and the added tourism experience, works out much less than the cost of surgery alone in many countries abroad.

Advantages of Health Tourism in India
• Being considered amongst the best tourism destinations of the world, patients get excellent healthcare services in India.
• There are many well qualified doctors and hospitals in India. Medical procedures often cost half as much (or less) in India as compared to the U.S even including the cost of travel and a stay at hotel. It can be cheaper to have procedures done out of the motherland than to have them done at home.
• Growing compliance on International quality standards and patients are less likely to face language barriers in India.
• Immediate access to health care services. For those who have come from countries with public health care systems, medical tourism offers them the chance to be placed on the priority list. When dealing with matters of health, waiting is not always an option.