Indian state promotes Ayurveda tourism

The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved a policy to provide cost-effective Ayush services by upgrading Ayurvedic hospitals and dispensaries across the state.

The policy aims at strengthening and upgrading the secondary and tertiary level of health care in the Ayush system of medicine.

The government has introduced a Himachal Pradesh State AYUSH Policy that envisages attractive incentives for prospective investors in Ayush (ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, unani, siddha, sowa rigpa and homoeopathy) and the wellness sector in general.

The cabinet has decided to provide capital subsidy on Ayush therapy units at the rate of 25% of fixed capital investment with a ceiling; interest help of 4% on term loans and state tax advantages for seven years.

Situated in the Western Himalayas, the Northern Indian state is bordered by Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and Tibet on the east.

Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is bordered by union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on the north, Punjab on the west, Haryana on the southwest, Uttarakhand on the southeast, and Tibet on the east.

The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy 2019 lists specific areas to promote and one is health and wellness tourism. This includes spa resorts, hot springs, Himalayan Ayurveda, Yoga, and spiritual health centres.

The Himalayas is home to huge collection of medicinal plants and hot springs known for their curative properties. This provides a stable platform for building health and wellness tourism, including Ayurveda spas, wellness centres, and Yoga retreats in the scenic and calm setting of Himachal Pradesh. The state does not want to promote medical tourism.