GoI decides to provide financial aid to hospital representatives and tour operators for Medical Tourism

According to a PTI report, aimed at boosting foreign tourists’ arrivals inflow which has been on a declining trend, Government of India (GoI) has decided to give financial aid to hospital representatives and tour operators of repute in brining patients from abroad. Termed as Medical Tourism, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has finalised a plan to provide financial assistance to tour operators, involved in the medical service sector, and hospital representatives to attend global medical fairs showcasing India as a health-care destination.

“It has been decided to extend financial aid under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme to Medical Tourism service providers, which are basically tour operators, travel agents and representatives of reputed hospitals to attend medical and tourism fairs abroad three times in a year,” informed a senior MoT official. The official also added that since medical facilities are being provided in the country at cheaper rates compared to hospitals abroad, a series of promotional and marketing initiatives have been undertaken to promote medical destinations.