‘UP poised to be hub of med, wellness tourism'
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UP's blend of modern healthcare, spiritual heritage and supportive tourism policies can make it a leading destination for both medical and wellness tourism, experts said at the TOI Dialogues session on "Health & Heritage: Building a Resilient, Tourism-Driven Uttar Pradesh".
The discussion began with the question of whether health tourism is on the state's agenda. Principal secretary (tourism & culture) Mukesh Kumar Meshram said while there is currently no dedicated policy, one is in the works.
He outlined two key components — medical tourism, which draws foreign patients for high-quality treatment at a fraction of the cost abroad, and wellness tourism, which focuses on preventive healthcare through yoga, naturopathy and Ayurveda.
Post-Covid, he noted, there is a global shift toward immunity and wellness, and UP aims to encourage wellness centres, taking inspiration from Kerala's success in the sector.
Pramit Mishra, unit head at Max Super Speciality Hospital, said tourists increasingly factor in healthcare access when choosing destinations.
"UP offers a healing touch with its mix of tradition, spirituality and modern medicine," he said.
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With policies easing infrastructure development, institutions like SGPGI and KGMU have trained doctors who now serve worldwide. He also pointed out that Lucknow offers surgeries at 25-30% lower costs than Delhi, with some cardiac procedures priced far below those in countries like Singapore, making it a cost-competitive medical tourism hub.
Life coach and co-founder of My Mom's Village Puja Singh shared their sustainable tourism model, which shifts from sightseeing to "soul-seeing."
The project promotes organic farming, empowers rural women and sources all produce locally. Situated on the spiritual circuit between Ayodhya, Mathura and Varanasi, and on the Buddhist circuit, the village has benefited from rural tourism schemes but seeks further support for women's skill development and rural medical centres.
Author Shantanu Gupta highlighted UP's religious tourism potential, citing the 64 crore visitors during the Kumbh Mela, which generated an estimated Rs 3.5 lakh crore in economic value.
Such events, he said, demonstrate UP's safety, hospitality and infrastructure to a massive domestic and international audience.
Speakers agreed that with affordable, world-class healthcare, rich wellness traditions, spiritual appeal, and upcoming policy support, Uttar Pradesh is well-placed to become a global destination for both medical and wellness tourism.
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