2-Day international conference on Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism in India: Status, Trends & Future Prospects concludes at PU

Chandigarh, February 16, 2019: A two-day international conference on Medical, Health and Wellness Tourism in India: Status, Trends & Future Prospects concluded at Panjab University ( PU), here on Saturday. Presenting their views on the second day of the conference,organized by University Institute of Hotel Management and Tourism (UIHMT), PU under the aegis of 7th HOSTOCON (Hospitality andTourism Conference), speakers from across the country and abroad shared theirvision on issues related to medical tourism. The dignitaries for the event were Dr. Marina Ambrosecchio,President and founder UET Italia; Dr. B.K. Rana, Former Director NABH &Chairman, Accreditation Council and Dr. Anil Singh from BHU. Inher valedictory address, Dr. Marina described the significance of medicaltourism and discussed that India is equally competent to its western counterpartsas it offers low-cost treatment and competent quality of services. She said thatKitchens in homes of India are itself a pharmacy. The amalgamations of various herbs and spices served as potential healers for various diseases and ailments. She also said that channelizing medical tourism would help create employment and boots infrastructural facilities. Prof. Marina emphasized that India and Italy should work hand in hand for expanding their niche medical tourism and to tap its full potential. She discussed how Italy and India are similar in respect to medical tourism, however, lack of proper infrastructural facilities and marketing have somehow lead to the limited growth in medical tourists influx. Dr. B.K. Rana in his address spoke about the certification and standards of health services in India. He presented an overview of Global Quality standards. During his speech he told that medical tourists come to India for dental, cosmetic, cardiovascular and neurological treatments. He suggested that tourism sector should work closely with the industry chambers, students should be trained with an additional language, there should be a joint platform of information and communication also the services of Ayurveda homeopathy and naturopathy should be expanded and panchkarma should be highlighted. Dr.Anil Singh described the model for ideal medical tourism and suggested ways for expansion of the same. Dr.Prashant Gautam, Director UIHTM, presented the seminar report. He concluded that the event enhanced the awareness on the aspects that go into improving availability of health facilities. It provided a considerable scientific contribution in the domain of medical tourism for tourism destination competitiveness. The conference discussed acute technology issues and business challenges faced by both tourism as well as the healthcare sector. Moreover, this will provide an opportunity to interact with leaders of the medical tourism industry, both from local and global partnerships. The conference acted as be a platform for hospitals, medical tourism facilitators, insurance companies, academicians, hospitality industry, healthcare investors and pharmacy companies. Dr.Arun Singh presented vote of thanks.