While attending the Medical Tourism Association's Congress event last September, it was very clear that India is a powerhouse in the industry with its confluence of high-tech medicine, traditional healing and an abundance of tourist attractions.
India possesses an abundance of Englisih speaking, highly skilled labor, an exotic culture and time-tested healing practices that make it massively appealing to Westerners. Interestingly enough, India was at the forefront of providing ease of access and entry into the country by virtue of the medical visas - many other other countries, such as Turkey, have taken note. By fully optimizing the interest in India's traditional healing, the country is ripe for spa growth and the cross over of health tourism where medical and spa visits converge. This caught the eye of SpaFinder.
Below are excerpts from the SpaFinder blog. (I've edited the material down for easier readability)
The spa industry in India currently boasts over 2,300 spas, generating revenue representing approximately USD $384 million annually. Initiatives are underway to train spa personnel to meet the growing demand for these 2300+ spas, and for the hundreds more that are likely to establish themselves in the next five to ten years. While the Indian spa market is still a modest sliver of the overall $60-billion-plus core global spa economy, India is poised to attract significantly more western tourists (particularly on the medical/wellness travel front)…as well as continue to develop its own vibrant, indigenous spa market at a heady pace. With over 700 spas predicted to open doors in the next 2-4 years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing fast.
Emerging trends in the booming Indian spa market in 2009:
Ayurveda Represent Serious Business: Yoga, one of the most profitable wellness modalities in the word, is a lifestyle for millions of people who are enthusiastic about traveling to the spiritual and cultural source: India. Spas in India will continue to expand their Ayurvedic menus, for both overseas clientele who want to experience authentic Ayurvedic therapies--as well as for locals already familiar with the benefits, or who wish to adopt their own Indian healing traditions. As state tourism departments promote and package Ayurveda, look for new legislation mandating scientific methods and quality control, trained therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and license certifications.
Alternative Healing: Alternative healing has always been a traditional part of the Indian cultural milieu. Spas will strive to offer holistic, organic elements in treatments, as well as emphasize mind-body-spirit connections and advocate eventual lifestyle changes.
The Spa-Savvy Indian Male: The urban Indian male increasingly wants to look good and feel good: and now seeks wellness treatments—like Champissage (head massage) and full-body massage on a regular basis—as well as grooming treatments and products.
Love of Luxury: The affluent Indian consumer loves brands. To cater to the brand-conscious consumer, local Indian spas will increasingly establish themselves as multi-city spa brands and local spa products will expand globally.
Medical Tourists: India will continue to be a hot spot for medical tourists that seek travel services that incorporate diverse wellness packages, including those that couple medical procedures with spa indulgences, ayurvedic treatments or cultural immersion experiences. India occupies a unique and enviable position with a globally recognized and well-respected medical establishment generating English-speaking, highly qualified doctors.
Aesthetic Treatments: Look for an uptick in medical spas, dental spas and cosmetic clinics that cater to both locals and traveling medical tourists.
The Spa Tween-Teen Year: Spas and cosmetic clinics will continue to roll out specific treatments for pre-teens and teens by offering acne-treatment facials, teen-focused massages, mother-daughter specials, glitter manicures etc.
Bollywood: Look for more Bollywood stars to inculcate the importance of spa-going in their own lives. The spa-going behavior of Hollywood celebrities has significantly helped publicize the benefits of spas in the West…so expect the same impact on the industry from Bollywood stars.
Culture, Myth, History Catch Spa Fancy: Spas of India are fashionably designed around Indian history, astrology and values dedicated to indigenous culture, myth, materials and design. Some spas provide regionally-specific treatments --others have introduced regionally-specific building materials like marble or stone—while others feature ‘leharia’ folk art patterns; Indian love swings and Rajput water gardens, ‘Madhubani’ paintings or Mughal landscaping and architecture.
For the full length article go to http://blog.spafinder.com/
India possesses an abundance of Englisih speaking, highly skilled labor, an exotic culture and time-tested healing practices that make it massively appealing to Westerners. Interestingly enough, India was at the forefront of providing ease of access and entry into the country by virtue of the medical visas - many other other countries, such as Turkey, have taken note. By fully optimizing the interest in India's traditional healing, the country is ripe for spa growth and the cross over of health tourism where medical and spa visits converge. This caught the eye of SpaFinder.
Below are excerpts from the SpaFinder blog. (I've edited the material down for easier readability)
The spa industry in India currently boasts over 2,300 spas, generating revenue representing approximately USD $384 million annually. Initiatives are underway to train spa personnel to meet the growing demand for these 2300+ spas, and for the hundreds more that are likely to establish themselves in the next five to ten years. While the Indian spa market is still a modest sliver of the overall $60-billion-plus core global spa economy, India is poised to attract significantly more western tourists (particularly on the medical/wellness travel front)…as well as continue to develop its own vibrant, indigenous spa market at a heady pace. With over 700 spas predicted to open doors in the next 2-4 years, there’s no doubt that the spa industry in India is growing fast.
Emerging trends in the booming Indian spa market in 2009:
Ayurveda Represent Serious Business: Yoga, one of the most profitable wellness modalities in the word, is a lifestyle for millions of people who are enthusiastic about traveling to the spiritual and cultural source: India. Spas in India will continue to expand their Ayurvedic menus, for both overseas clientele who want to experience authentic Ayurvedic therapies--as well as for locals already familiar with the benefits, or who wish to adopt their own Indian healing traditions. As state tourism departments promote and package Ayurveda, look for new legislation mandating scientific methods and quality control, trained therapists, Ayurvedic doctors and license certifications.
Alternative Healing: Alternative healing has always been a traditional part of the Indian cultural milieu. Spas will strive to offer holistic, organic elements in treatments, as well as emphasize mind-body-spirit connections and advocate eventual lifestyle changes.
The Spa-Savvy Indian Male: The urban Indian male increasingly wants to look good and feel good: and now seeks wellness treatments—like Champissage (head massage) and full-body massage on a regular basis—as well as grooming treatments and products.
Love of Luxury: The affluent Indian consumer loves brands. To cater to the brand-conscious consumer, local Indian spas will increasingly establish themselves as multi-city spa brands and local spa products will expand globally.
Medical Tourists: India will continue to be a hot spot for medical tourists that seek travel services that incorporate diverse wellness packages, including those that couple medical procedures with spa indulgences, ayurvedic treatments or cultural immersion experiences. India occupies a unique and enviable position with a globally recognized and well-respected medical establishment generating English-speaking, highly qualified doctors.
Aesthetic Treatments: Look for an uptick in medical spas, dental spas and cosmetic clinics that cater to both locals and traveling medical tourists.
The Spa Tween-Teen Year: Spas and cosmetic clinics will continue to roll out specific treatments for pre-teens and teens by offering acne-treatment facials, teen-focused massages, mother-daughter specials, glitter manicures etc.
Bollywood: Look for more Bollywood stars to inculcate the importance of spa-going in their own lives. The spa-going behavior of Hollywood celebrities has significantly helped publicize the benefits of spas in the West…so expect the same impact on the industry from Bollywood stars.
Culture, Myth, History Catch Spa Fancy: Spas of India are fashionably designed around Indian history, astrology and values dedicated to indigenous culture, myth, materials and design. Some spas provide regionally-specific treatments --others have introduced regionally-specific building materials like marble or stone—while others feature ‘leharia’ folk art patterns; Indian love swings and Rajput water gardens, ‘Madhubani’ paintings or Mughal landscaping and architecture.
For the full length article go to http://blog.spafinder.com/
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