The state of Kerala has posted a remarkable achievement in its healthcare and wellness tourism industry, with the Ayurvedic medical tourism segment generating an estimated ₹13,500 crore in 2024.
This surge underscores Kerala’s growing prominence as a destination that blends traditional healing systems—especially Ayurveda—with modern wellness and tourism infrastructure. The state has successfully leveraged its well-established Ayurvedic resorts, retreats and clinical services to attract both domestic and international visitors seeking holistic health solutions.
Industry insiders highlight that the wellness corridor in Kerala, fuelled by Ayurvedic therapies, herbal treatments and serene back-water settings, has emerged as a major contributor to the region’s medical tourism value. With rising global demand for natural health and wellness experiences, Kerala’s offering stands out for its authenticity, cost-effectiveness and ease of access.
According to a report released at the 2024 edition of the Global Ayurveda Summit and the Kerala Health Tourism Summit, Kerala’s unique combination of traditional medicine services and wellness tourism has positioned the state as a strong contender in the global medical-value-travel market. The document emphasises the opportunity to further scale up the Ayurvedic tourism ecosystem and tap into new source markets.
While stakeholders celebrate the milestone, they also caution that sustained growth will require stronger marketing, enhanced infrastructure and international accreditation to maintain global competitiveness. Given the growing global appetite for wellness experiences rooted in Ayurveda, Kerala’s ₹13,500 crore achievement could serve as a springboard for further expansion into the holistic health tourism space.