Lok Sabha Question No. 1383 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Status and Growth Potential of Medical Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Md Abu Taher Khan, Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1383

## ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## STATUS AND GROWTH POTENTIAL OF MEDICAL TOURISM

## 1383. MD ABU TAHER KHAN:

SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  specific  measures  for  the promotion  of  medical  tourism  in  India  as  part  of  its  tourism promotion strategy, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  current  status  and growth potential of medical tourism in India, including the number of foreign  patients/medical tourists  visiting  the  country  especially  in Gujarat and the revenue generated from medical tourism during the last five years and the current year and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has identified key challenges affecting the growth of medical tourism, such as visa facilitation, infrastructure gaps, international accreditation, pricing transparency and coordination among stakeholders and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Commerce and Industry proposes to  implement  policy  or  incentive  measures  to  promote  India  as  a global  medical  tourism  hub  and  if  so,  the  details  and  timelines thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken any initiative to promote tourism destination of India in domestic and global markets and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM          (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist destinations and products, including medical tourism is undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.

The Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, through various initiatives. As part of on-going activities, promotion of medical & Wellness tourism , is also taken up.

The Ministry of Tourism has not conducted any study to assess the current status, key challenges and growth potential of medical tourism in India.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  does  not  maintain  data  on  State  wise purpose wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals and revenue earned due to medical tourism.

As per the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), t he total year-wise Foreign Tourist Arrivals for medical purpose during last 5 years are given below:

| Year                  | FTAs in India   | FTAs for Medical Purposes   |
|-----------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|
| 2019                  | 1,09,30,355     | 6,97,453                    |
| 2020                  | 27,44,766       | 1,82,945                    |
| 2021                  | 15,27,114       | 3,23,748                    |
| 2022                  | 64,37,467       | 4,74,798                    |
| 2023                  | 95,20,928       | 6,59,356                    |
| 2024                  | 99,51,722       | 6,44,387                    |
| 2025 (Jan to Nov) (P) | 79,34,617       | 4,50,633                    |

(P): Provisional

In order to provide impetus to the growth of Medical and Wellness tourism in India and maintain India's competitive advantage, Ministry of Tourism  formulated  a  National  Strategy  and  Roadmap  for  Medical  and Wellness Tourism and circulated to concerned Central Ministries, State Governments and Industry Stakeholders.

The Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) under the Ministry of Commerce has developed a comprehensive website viz., http://www.indiahealthcaretourism.com  which  provides  information  on accredited hospitals and wellness centres, visa, healthcare providers etc. The Ministry of Tourism has provided a link to this portal on its official websites.

To facilitate the visit of foreign nationals to come to India for medical treatment,  the  Government  of  India  has  extended  e-medical  visa/  emedical attendant visa facility.

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