GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM
(NICHE TOURISM DIVISION)
C–1 Hutments,
Dalhousie Road,
New Delhi – 110 011

No.7-1 (4)/2014- NT -Part 1 Dated: 6th December 2016

REVISED GUIDELINES FOR THE PROMOTION OF WELLNESS AND MEDICAL

AS NICHE TOURISM PRODUCTS

1. Preamble:

1.1. ‘Wellness’ is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and
spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. ‘Wellness Tourism’ can,
therefore, be defined as travel that involves to experience an active process of
becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence. In
other words, ‘Wellness’ is a view of health that emphasizes the state of the entire
being and its ongoing development.

1.2. India has always been known for its rich heritage of ‘Wellness’ traditions
and has enormous possibilities to offer to ‘Wellness’ seekers. The Indian ‘Wellness’
industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel and leisure industry.
India has the potential to become a leading ‘Wellness’ destination for the global
travellers. Therefore, there is a need to position India as preferred destination for
Wellness Tourism, wellness being an integral part of the Indian way of life.

1.3. ‘Medical’ Tourism (also called Medical Travel, Health Tourism or Global
Health Care) is a term used to describe the rapidly growing practice of travelling
across international borders to seek Medical services. Services typically sought by
travellers include elective and essential procedures as well as complex surgeries
etc.

1.4. India holds an advantage as a Medical Tourism destination due to the

following factors:

i. Most of the medical practitioners and surgeons at Indian Hospitals

are well trained or have worked at some or other time in the leading
medical institutions of the world.
ii. Most of medical practitioners and nurses are fluent in English.

iii. Top of the line medical and diagnostic equipments from global
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 international conglomerates are available at many Indian hospitals.
iv. The cost of quality of medical procedures and services are low in India
when compared to other competitors in the field.

1.5. Realizing the potential to develop and promote Wellness and Medical
Tourism as the niche tourism products among international tourists, the Ministry
of Tourism, Government of India, has formulated following guidelines.

2. Mission:

2.1. To promote India as a holistic tourism destination for 365 days offering
varied niche tourism products.

3. Association:

3.1. All stakeholders engaged in Wellness and /or Medical Tourism activities
would endeavour to form either Wellness Tourism Association of India or Medical
Tourism Association of India or Wellness and Medical Tourism Association of
India, which will have open all India membership, is committed for holding
elections at regular intervals & hold annual Audit of Accounts and is registered as
a non profitable society.

4. Support under the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) scheme

for Wellness Tourism Service Providers (WTSPs) and Medical Tourism Service
Providers (MTSPs):

4.1. The Wellness Tourism Service Providers including Wellness Centres, SPAs
and Wellness Tourism Facilitators (WTFs) i.e., Travel Agents and Tour Operators
engaged in Wellness Tourism and Medical Tourism Service Providers (including
Hospital and Medical Tourism Facilitators (MTFs) i.e., Travel Agents and Tour
Operators engaged in Medical Tourism as per eligibility in para 4.2 below will be
provided financial assistance as per the provisions of the Marketing Development
Assistance (MDA) scheme administered by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of
India for the Fairs/ Events/ Road Shows approved by the Ministry of Tourism,
Niche Tourism Division.

4.2. Financial assistance as per the provisions of the Marketing Development

Assistance (MDA) scheme would be provided to the

i. WTSPs i.e., Representatives of Wellness Centres including SPAs

accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals (NABH)
and / or AYUSH or State / UT Governments.
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 ii. MTSPs i.e., Representatives of Hospitals accredited by the Joint
Commission for International Accredited Hospitals (JCI) and / or the
National Accreditation Board of Hospitals (NABH) and / or State
Governments.
iii. Wellness Tourism Facilitators and Medical Tourism Facilitators i.e.,
Representatives of Travel Agents/Tour Operators approved by the
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and who are engaged in
Wellness and Medical Tourism.

4.3. Procedure for submission of Application:

(i) The eligible WTSPs/MTSPs/WTFs/MTFs shall obtain prior approval of

the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, before proceeding
abroad to participate in any trade fair/exhibition. The application
shall be submitted directly to the office of Assistant Director
General, Niche Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India,
C-1 Hutments, Dalhousie Road, New Delhi – 110 011, in the
prescribed format (Annexure-I and Annexure III for WTSPs & MTSPs
and WTFs & MTFs, respectively) at least 90 days in advance, along
with following documents:

(a) Proof of accreditation of WTSPs by the AYUSH or NABH and or

State / UT Governments; and
(b) Proof of accreditation of Hospital by JCI or NABH in case of
MTSPs.

(ii) After participating in Wellness and Medical Tourism Fairs / Wellness

and Medical Shows / Wellness and Medical Promotional Events
abroad for which prior approval had been accorded by the Ministry of
Tourism, the WTSPs & MTSPs and WTFs & MTFs, respectively, would
submit the Application form for MDA Claim, in the prescribed format
(Annexure II & Annexure IV for WTSPs & MTSPs and WTFs & MTFs,
respectively), directly to the office of Assistant Director General,
Niche Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, C-1
Hutments, Dalhousie, Road, New Delhi – 110 011, immediately on
return to India but positively within one month of his / her return to
India.

4.4. Besides, above provision, all other provisions of MDA scheme administered
by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India shall be applicable for release of
MDA to WTSPs, MTSPs, WTFS and MTFs.
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5. Wellness and Medical Tourism Promotion Committee (WMTPC)
constituted for considering all financial assistance except MDA:

(i) Tier I Committee to consider cases for support upto Rs 15.00 Lakh

a. Joint Secretary, MoT dealing with Niche Tourism- in the chair

b. Director/ Dy Secy (Finance), MoT
c. Representative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
d. Representative of Ministry of AYUSH
e. Director, NABH
f. Representative from IATO, FHRAI, HAI and ADTOI
g. DDG/DySecy/Director Niche Tourism-Member Secretary

(ii) Tier II Committee to consider cases for support for amounts between Rs
15.00 lakh to Rs 25.00 lakh

a. Secretary (Tourism) in the chair

b. Addl Secretary &Financial Adviser, MoT
c. Joint Secretary, MoT dealing with Niche Tourism
d. Representative of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (JS level)
e. Representative of Ministry of AYUSH (JS Level)
f. Director, NABH
g. Representative from IATO, FHRAI, HAI and ADTOI
h. DDG/DySecy/Director Niche Tourism-Member Secretary

6. Publicity:

6.1. There are a number of marketing and promotional measures available to

reach the Wellness & Medical Tourism market. The Ministry of Tourism would
consider providing financial support in the ratio of 50:50 for making publicity and
promotional material subject to the condition that the Ministry of Tourism would
provide a maximum of Rs.10.00 lakh under the category for each stakeholder in a
financial year. This support would not be given for airing time on television /
radio. This support will be given only on open EOI basis.

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7. Promotion through workshops / events / meets / seminars:

7.1. The Ministry of Tourism would provide financial assistance for organizing
workshops/events/meets/seminars having focus on promotion of Wellness and
Medical Tourism subject to the conditions;

(i) A maximum amount of Rs.10.00 lakh will be provided for each

workshop/event/meet/seminar on 50:50 cost sharing basis.

(ii) Each workshop/event/meet/seminar will have at least 100

participants of which at least 50 percent would be foreign passport
holders not living in India.

(iii) This support will be also be given on open EOI basis.

8. For organizing Wellness and Medical Tourism Promotion Shows:

8.1. Shows with exhibits, suppliers and buyers participation for promotion of
Wellness & Medical Tourism on the lines of other tourism product shows will be
supported financially by the Ministry of Tourism subject to the condition that a
minimum of 75 participants will participate in the show and there will be at least
40 percent foreign buyers. The maximum financial assistance that can be
provided will be up to a maximum of Rs.25.00 lakh on 50:50 sharing basis. Such
assistance would be given only to the State Governments / Chambers of
Commerce / National Wellness & Medical Associations. In case, the Ministry of
Tourism wants to set up its own Wellness and / or Medical Show that will be done
on the basis of an open EOI.

9. Use of Incredible India logo:

9.1. The Incredible India brand is one of the most recognized brands
internationally. The Ministry of Tourism would give permission for the use of
Incredible India logo for the wellness and medical tourism promotion events, films,
literature etc., as per the prescribed procedure from time to time.

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10. Capacity building:

10.1. Trained human resource is an important component of any tourism

product, including Wellness & Medical Tourism. A large number of tourism service
providers in the organized/unorganized sector require basic and advanced
training in related areas to provide better service standards and consumer
satisfaction. The Ministry of Tourism would provide financial support for training
courses focussed on skill providing, skill
up-gradation and skill certification courses for the persons engaged in Wellness &
Medical Tourism sector as per the Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP)
scheme guidelines of the Ministry of Tourism. The training could be at various
levels, i.e., basic level, higher level, advanced level and specialized. (CBSP
guidelines are available on the Ministry of Tourism website titled
www.tourism.gov.in).

11. Participation in fairs and events:

11.1. The Ministry of Tourism would provide space up to 4 Square Metres to

Wellness and / or Medical Tourism Associations at major international fairs for
promoting Wellness and Medical Tourism at cost.

12. Disclaimer:

12.1. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India reserves the right to issue
clarifications, modify or amend the guidelines from time to time, without assigning
any reasons, thereof.
File No. 7-1(4)/2014-NT-Part 1 dated: 06.12.2016

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 Annexure I

Application form for Wellness Tourism Service Providers (WTSPs) / Medical Tourism
Service Providers (MTSPs), Wellness Centres Service Providers (WNCSP) for obtaining prior
approval under MDA scheme for participation in approved Wellness Tourism Fairs /
Medical Tourism Fairs, Wellness Conferences / Medical Conferences sand Allied Road
Shows:

1 Name of the Hospital with full

Address/ Name of the Wellness Centre
with full address

2. Name and designation of the person

going abroad

3. Certificate regarding accreditation by No. & Date:

JCI/NABH/State
Governments/AYUSH/NABH
Valid up to:
4. Name of Wellness and Medical
Tourism Fairs /Wellness and Medical
Conferences and Road Shows /
Exhibitions and the countries along
with the dates/duration of the visit

5. Date of departure from India

6. Date of arrival in India

7. Details of the financial assistance

availed earlier under the MDA scheme:
a) Name of countries visited/
exhibitions participated
b) Name of the Persons
c) Dates
d) MDA amount received

Place: Signature

&

Date: Designation with stamp

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 Annexure II
Claim form for Wellness Tourism Service Providers (WTSPs) / Medical Tourism Service
Providers (MTSPs), Wellness Centres Service Providers (WNCSP) for obtaining prior
approval under MDA scheme for participation in approved Wellness Tourism Fairs and
Medical Tourism Fairs / Wellness and Medical Conferences and Allied Road Shows:

1. Name of the Hospital with full

Address / Name of the Wellness
Centre with full address

2. Name and designation of the Person

who participated in Approved
Wellness and Medical Tourism Fairs
/ Wellness and Medical Conferences
and Allied Road Shows abroad

3. Whether prior approval of the

Ministry of Tourism obtained for
undertaking promotional activity
abroad. (Please attach a copy of the
approval later.)
4. Certificate regarding accreditation by No. & Date:
JCI/NABH/State
Governments/AYUSH / NABH
Valid up to:
5. Name of Wellness and Medical
Tourism Fairs /Wellness and
Medical Conferences and Road
Shows / Exhibitions and the
countries along with the
dates/duration of the visit

6. Actual date of departure from India.

(Please attach a self certified
photocopy of passport highlighting
date of departure)
7. Actual date of arrival in India (Please
attach self certified photocopy of
passport highlighting date of arrival)
8. Details of Number of proposal(s)
already submitted in the same
financial year
9. Details of the financial assistance
availed earlier under the MDA
scheme:
a) Name of countries visited/
exhibitions participated

b) Name of the Persons

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 c) Dates
d) MDA amount received (Please
furnish details of
countries/fairs and
exhibitions, name of the
persons who went abroad and
the amount of financial
assistance received in each
case)
10. Expenditure incurred on:

(a) Actual expenditure incurred on

return airfare by economy excursion
class (Please attach original air
ticket/jacket used during the
journey along with three self certified
Photostat copies)
(b) Actual expenditure incurred on stall,
decoration, water and electricity (in
case of participation in Wellness
Tourism Fairs and Medical Tourism
Fairs / Wellness and Medical
Conferences and allied Road Shows)
(Please attach original voucher/bank
advice/receipt etc., evidencing
payment made, along with three self
certified photocopies thereof). (Also
furnish a Statement of Expenditure)
Total expenditure incurred (a + b)

11. Amount being claimed

Declaration
I solemnly declare that the particulars given in the above statement are correct. I
bound myself and the Hospital accountable/Wellness Centres and responsible for any
incorrect information given in the above statement and shall immediately refund amount
received on the basis of wrong information provided in the above statement.

Signature ______________________

Name _______________________

Designation ____________________
Office Seal:

Place:
Date:

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 Annexure III

Application form for Wellness Tourism facilitators / Medical Tourism facilitators for
obtaining prior approval under MDA scheme for participation in approved Wellness
Tourism Fairs/ Medical Tourism Fairs, Wellness Conferences / Medical Conferences and
allied Road Shows

1. Name of the firm with full

address/Name of the Wellness Centre
with full address

2. Name and designation of the person

going abroad

3. Proof regarding recognition of the No. & Date:

Ministry of Tourism as approved Tour
Operators. Valid up to:
4. Proof regarding Foreign Exchange
Earnings (FEE) from Medical Tourism
(year wise turnover and commission
to be shown separately)
5. Name of approved Wellness Tourism
Fairs / Medical Tourism Fairs /
Wellness Conferences and Medical
Conferences and allied Road Shows
and the countries along with
dates/duration of visit
6. Date of departure from India
7. Date of arrival in India
8. Details of the financial assistance
availed earlier under the MDA
scheme:

a) Name of countries visited/

exhibitions participated
b) Name of the Person(s)
c) Dates
d) MDA amount received

Place: Signature

&

Date: Designation with stamp

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 Annexure IV

Claim Form for Wellness Tourism Facilitators / Medical Tourism Facilitators under MDA
scheme for participation in approved Wellness Tourism Fairs and Medical Tourism Fairs,
Wellness Conferences / Medical Conferences and allied Road Shows

1. Name of the firm with full

address/Name of the Wellness Centre
with full address
2. Name and designation of the Person
who attended the Wellness Tourism
Fair / Medical Tourism Fair /
Exhibition abroad
3. Whether prior approval of the
Ministry of Tourism obtained for
undertaking promotional tour abroad.
(Please attach a copy of the approval
letter.)
4. Proof regarding recognition of the No. & Date:
Ministry of Tourism as approved Tour
Operators. Valid up to:
5. Proof regarding Foreign Exchange
Earnings (FEE) from Wellness
Tourism and Medical Tourism
6. Name of approved Wellness Tourism
Fairs /Wellness Tourism
Fair/Medical Conferences/Wellness
Conferences and allied Road Shows
and the countries along with
dates/duration of visit
7. Actual date of departure from India.
(Please attach a self certified
photocopy of passport highlighting
date of departure)
8. Actual date of arrival in India (Please
attach a self certified photocopy of
passport highlighting date of arrival)
9. Details of Number of proposal(s)
already submitted in the same
financial year
10. Details of the financial assistance
availed earlier under the MDA
scheme for participation in approved
Wellness Tourism Fairs / Medical
Tourism Fairs / Wellness
Conferences / Medical Conferences/
and allied Road Shows (Please
furnish details of countries/fairs and
exhibitions, name of the persons who

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 went abroad and the amount of
financial assistance received in each
case)
11. Expenditure incurred on:

a) Actual expenditure incurred on

return airfare by economy excursion
class (Please attach original air
ticket/jacket used during the journey
along with three self certified
Photostat copies)

b) Actual expenditure incurred on stall,

decoration, water and electricity (in
case of participation in approved
Wellness Tourism Fairs/Medical
Tourism Fairs / Wellness
Conferences / Medical Conferences
and allied Road Shows) (Please
furnish details of countries/fairs and
exhibitions, name of the persons who
went abroad and the amount of
financial assistance received in each
case)

Total expenditure incurred (a+b)

12. Amount being claimed

Declaration

I solemnly declare that the particulars given in the above statement are correct. I bound
myself and the Hospital accountable/Wellness Centres and responsible for any incorrect
information given in the above statement and shall immediately refund amount received
on the basis of wrong information provided in the above statement.
Signature ______________________

Name _______________________
Designation ____________________
Office Seal:

Place:

Date:

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