Kochi, October 30, 2025 – Kerala is combining modern medicine and ayurveda to emerge as a global destination of medical value travel. Addressing the inaugural session of the Kerala Health Tourism and Global Ayurveda Summit and Expo 2025, industry experts called for leveraging Kerala’s strength in modern medicine and ayurveda to promote the state as the most cost competitive and quality healthcare destination in South Asia.

In his keynote address, Kerala Industries Minister P. Rajeev outlined the initiatives by the state government to position Kerala as a premier global healthcare destination. He emphasized ongoing efforts to integrate Ayurveda with modern medicine and promote the state as a holistic wellness hub.
 
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Union Minister of State for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, speaking online, lauded Kerala for its excellence in Ayurveda care and treatment infrastructure.
 

Addressing the inaugural session of the Kerala Health Tourism and Global Ayurveda Summit and Expo 2025, Dr. Sajikumar, Chairman, CII Global Ayurveda Summit, and Managing Director, Dhathri Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd, said Kerala’s Ayurveda economy is projected to reach Rs 60,000 crore by 2031 from the current Rs 15,000 crore. The sector is expected to maintain its upward trajectory and touch Rs 5 lakh crore by 2047, aligning with the Vikisit Bharat vision.
 

Kerala has the potential to become the global capital of Ayurveda-based healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, and research. “Ayurveda is no longer just a tradition—it has evolved into a globally validated, technology-enabled healthcare science,” he noted.
 

Highlighting the opportunities in the global wellness economy, Dr. Sajikumar pointed out that the sector is currently valued at USD 5.6 trillion. Medical value travel is projected to reach USD 97 billion by 2027, while wellness tourism is expected to grow to USD 1.3 trillion by 2028.

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Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, praised Kerala’s pioneering role in Ayurveda, calling it a model for other Indian states. He stated that Ayurveda and traditional healthcare systems are on the cusp of major transformation, projected to contribute 5 percent to India’s GDP by 2047, up from the current 1.1 percent. Kotecha also revealed that the Indian Ayurveda economy is currently valued at USD 43 billion and that investment proposals worth USD 1.2 billion are already in the pipeline.
 

The Summit, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Kerala Chapter, in association with the Ministry of Ayush and the Government of Kerala, drew delegates from 16 countries.
 

VKC Razak, Chairman, CII Kerala, underscored the strong role of healthcare and wellness in Kerala’s economy, calling the sector “one of its most resilient pillars. ” P.M. Warrier, Convenor, CII kerala Ayurveda panel and Managing Trustee of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala, emphasized the need to promote Kerala as a single destination offering world-class healthcare that combines Ayurveda and modern medicine—an initiative that has begun to yield results through international collaborations and outreach programs.

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Dr. P.V. Louis, Chairman, CII Kerala Health tourism and Managing Director, Medical Trust Hospital, highlighted Kerala’s exceptional healthcare standards, noting that every district in the state offers facilities at par with international benchmarks—a distinction unique in India that should be leveraged to advance Kerala’s position as a global healthcare hub.
 

Thomas John Muthoot, Chairman, CII Southern Region said South India has most robust healthcare facilities in the country. He listed the uniqueness of Kerala in wellness and modern healthcare and highlighted the world class facilities in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Telengana.   
 

Nalanda Jayadev, CEO, Aster Medicity; and CII Kerala Healthcare Panel Co-convener,  spoke about the real-time availability of healthcare in Kerala. There is no waiting period for healthcare services in Kerala, he said.