"Prospects of Medical Tourism - A Study of The Prominent Participants in Hospital And Hospitality Industry in Bangalore and Chennai"

Abstract

Medical Tourism" is comparatively new in the vast ocean of travel & tourism industry. When we describe Medical Tourism in simple terms, it is a provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. This process is being facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical care as well as the tourism industry - both private and public. Unlike other countries, India is a safe place and people are known for their hospitality. It's the most touted healthcare destinations for .Medical or Health tourism has become a common form of vacationing, and covers a broad spectrum of medical services. It mixes leisure, fun and relaxation together with wellness and healthcare.

Medical tourism, a rapidly growing sector in the Indian market, which is now being actively, developed by both public and private sector tourism and healthcare organizations. Medical Tourism" diversifies different paradigms, which derive at a common perception - a specialized field of healthcare tourism in general. The technical concoction defines medical tourism as, "Travel from a normal place of residence to a destination at which medical or surgical treatment is provided or performed, and which involves more than one night away from the country of residence". Within this broad field, there are a growing number of specialized sectors of medical tourism, including surgical tourism, wellness and spa tourism, dental tourism and reproductive or fertility tourism. Medical Tourism in simple terms, it is a provision of 'cost effective' private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. This process is being facilitated by the corporate sector involved in medical care as well as the tourism industry - both private and public. Medical tourism is gaining international significance, as more and more patients prefer their treatments abroad. In the developed countries the cost of the treatment and the surgery are far higher than those in the developing countries. So getting medical treatment abroad is economical for the patients without any compromise in the quality of treatment is one of the major concerns. Western patients are increasingly travelling to developing countries for health care and developing countries are increasingly offering their skills and facilities to paying foreign customers. This international trade in medical services has huge economic potential for developing countries and serious implications for health care across the globe.