KOCHI: The Ayurvedic Medical Value Tourism in Kerala has generated an income of Rs 13,500 cr in 2024 compared with Rs 10,800 cr in 2023. Around 60 to 70 per cent of the foreign tourists visiting the state opt for Ayurvedic treatment or wellness programs. In 2024, 7.4 lakh foreign nationals visited the state, as against 6.49 lakh in 2023, industry leaders said on Friday.

Announcing the 7th Edition of the Global Ayurveda Summit & Expo and the 12th Edition of Kerala Health Tourism International Conference and Exhibition, industry leaders said medical and wellness tourism in India has surged sharply post-pandemic, with Kerala emerging as a major contributor.    

Kerala’s medical value tourism integrating modern medicine, Ayurveda, and wellness is witnessing 16% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), reaffirming the state’s position as a global hub for holistic healthcare.

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Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Kerala, the twin summits will be held on October 30-31, 2025, at the Adlux International Convention Centre, Angamaly.

P. A. Mohammed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, and P. Rajeeve, Minister for Law, Industries and Coir, will inaugurate the summits and exhibition in the presence of Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, and other dignitaries.

The two-day event will see participation from 16 countries including Oman, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Somalia, Vietnam, Seychelles, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Australia, Uganda, Dubai, and Nigeria creating a vibrant platform for B2B interactions and international collaborations, said VKC Razak, Chairman, CII Kerala State Council.  

Kerala has great potential to increase medical value tourists in the modern medicine sector, said Dr Nalanda Jayadev, CEO Aster Medicity and Dr P. V. Louis, MD, Medical Trust Hospital. Kerala is targeting to corner 10 per cent of the USD 8 billion modern medical value tourism in India. “We have the potential to do more due to the high quality and affordability”, Dr Jayadev said.
 
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Dr P. M. Varier, Chief Physician & Managing Trustee, Arya Vaidyasala, Kottakkal, Dr S. Saji Kumar, MD, Dhathri Ayurveda, also addressed the media.

CII Kerala, through its Ayurveda and Healthcare Panels, is organising the event with support from the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, Government of Kerala, Department of Tourism, Department of Health & National Ayush Mission, and KSIDC, underscoring a collective commitment to strengthen Kerala’s global footprint in medical value tourism.

As part of the initiative, CII Kerala Health & Medical Tourism Awards will be introduced to honour hospitals and wellness institutions that demonstrate excellence in clinical standards, patient care, innovation, and international service quality.

The Global Ayurveda Summit & Expo, launched as an international annual platform, continues to promote Ayurveda in all its dimensions from research and policy to products and practice while the Kerala Health Tourism Summit & Expo fosters collaboration among global leaders from industry, government, and academia.

With over 70 exhibitors, 600 delegates, and 3,000 business visitors expected, the summits promise to strengthen Kerala’s position as a global leader in holistic wellness and medical value tourism.