Some 22,000 Saudi tourists visited India as foreign tourist arrivals into the country touched 5.78 million in 2010, Indian tourism officials told a press conference at a Road Show here recently. The Road Show was conducted by the Indian Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with Consulate General of IndiaJeddah. One of the highlights of the Road Show was the ‘Medical & Wellness' Tourism potential of India. Within the scope of this, India's vast potential as a Health and Wellness tourism destination, backed by its medical facilities and world-class doctors and hospitals, ancient healing systems such as ‘Ayurveda' and other rejuvenating programs coupled with modern medical amenities as also the diverse tourism products such as rural tourism and culture, were showcased during the Road Show. Strong growth is being recorded in health and wellness tourism in Saudi Arabia, which is dominated by medical tourism. Travel agencies recorded an increase in 2010 in the number of outbound business tourists travelling to health-related trade events, pointing to a willingness to enhance the Kingdom's healthcare sector and to be able to cater for more medical tourists. India is a perfect destination for medical tourism that combines health treatment with visits to some of the most alluring and awe-inspiring places of the world. A growing number of tourists from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are flocking in large numbers because of the superlative medical care, equipments and facilities that India offers. The cost of medical services in India is lower than that in Western countries and the most cost effective in the region. Indian hospitals excel in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery, joint replacements, transplants, cosmetic treatments, dental care, orthopedic surgery and much more. All medical treatments and investigations are done using the latest, technologically advanced diagnostic equipments. The cost of infertility treatments in India is almost 1/4th of that in developed nations. Nawang Rigzin, Minister for Tourism and Culture of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, said “Kashmir is safe now. This is evident from more than two million visitors to the state last year. The Road Show also highlighted what makes India the most favored destination for a holiday and business traveler. Rapid improvements in accessibility and infrastructure, well trained human resources, falling prices and an aggressive multi-pronged marketing campaign under the banner ‘Incredible India' have given a huge boost to the tourism sector and have helped make the multi-faceted sub-continent into one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world.
