India has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to position itself as the world’s leading destination for medical and wellness tourism by 2035.
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in collaboration with KPMG in India, launched a comprehensive report titled “Heal in India: Catalysing Medical and Wellness Tourism for a Healthier Global Future” at the Heal in India 2025 Medical & Wellness Tourism Summit held in the capital.
The report outlines a strategic national framework to align India’s clinical capabilities with its traditional healing systems like Ayurveda and Yoga. The initiative aims to elevate India as a cost-effective, trusted destination for international patients seeking both modern and holistic care.
Inaugurating the summit, Shri Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, highlighted the sector’s potential in contributing to India’s GDP, job creation, and foreign exchange. “India should work together to make this a global movement. Medical and wellness tourism are strategic pillars in our path to a USD 3 trillion tourism economy,” he said.
Dr. Manoj Nesari, CMO (SAG), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasized branding India’s rich traditions of Ayurveda and Yoga as alternate economic drivers. The summit also featured insights from Prof. Minu Bajpai and Dr. Blossom Kochhar, who spoke on medical excellence and integrative wellness.
According to the report, India’s medical tourism market is projected to grow from USD 18.2 billion in 2025 to USD 58.2 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 12.3%. In 2024 alone, over 463,000 medical visas were issued, with patients arriving from 75 countries.
Key recommendations include launching national and state-level Heal in India missions, developing treatment-specific clusters, improving Tier 2/3 infrastructure, and initiating global branding campaigns.
Presenting the report, Mr. Someswara Koundinya, Director, KPMG India, said, “India must lead not just in treating illness but in promoting long-term wellness. With the right policy support and digital tools, we can become the world’s healing capital.”
The summit concluded with industry leaders pledging support for a united effort toward building trust, quality, and compassionate care — moving India from transactional healthcare to transformational healing.