Anchor India 2014 Anchor India 2014 | Page 60

Alternative Medicine Sector The traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha and Naturopathy are the main attractions of South India as far as medical tourists are concerned. When it comes to serious marketing efforts abroad, alternate Medicine sector is much ahead of Modern Medicine. The fact is that the Alternate Medicine sector is in the forefront of exploiting the tourism potential involved in medical tourism and takes serious efforts for its promotion. Till recently, it was mainly the Europeans who come to South India seeking alternative treatments. But the trend is slowly changing with those from the middle-east also started to flock for taking Ayurveda and other alternative treatments. Many of the tourists who visit these states choose ayurvedic massage and treatment on hearing about it. According to the hoteliers, it is an unprecedented thing which testifying to the fact the Ayurveda and other alternative medicines are attracting more and more people across the globe. Cozy Atmosphere The health sector in the United Kingdom conducted a survey to find the reasons for the English seeking medical assistance from other countries. Most of the hospitals in the UK come under the government department of National Health Service (NHS). The network of hospitals under NHS provides most advanced health care to the citizens of the UK. Yet, the number of citizens seeking medical aid in other countries is on the rise. The questionnaire given to those who took part in the survey had been prepared in a manner that gets at even the minutest reasons which have forced the health tourists from the country to seek other destinations. Around 90 percent of the participants gave prime importance to accommodation facilities, cleanliness and communication facilities in the hospital. Aspects like expertise of the doctors took a back seat. They want not only proper medication but cozy atmosphere as well. Rising to the expectations, many of the hospitals in South India which are up to the mark in offering medical services are now catching up with international standards in hospitality facilities in their institutions.