Ayurveda Tourism in Gujarat state, India - A new dimention

Publication:Times Of India Ahmedabad;
Date:Dec 18, 2006;
Section:Times Business;
Page Number:14

Holistic Medical Centre, Venezuelan firm to promote ayurvedic tourism

TIMES NEWS NETWORK Ahmedabad: To promote ayurvedic tourism, both here and in Latin American and the Caribbean countries, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Sunday by the Holistic Medical Centre, Ahmedabad, with a Venezuela-based company, Centro Holistico (CA) Ayurvedico del Este. Indiana M De Monteverde, director, CA, who signed the agreement, said: "Wellness tourism has a niche market of $20 billion and Gujarat has the potential to become a major player in ayurvedic tourism due to its vast cultural, historical and ayurvedic heritage." She added, "For globetrotting Gujaratis, Caribbean and Latin American countries can also become tourist destinations, as we have strong Indian roots." Dr Prerak Shah, partner of the local centre, said, "We are taking an integrative approach for ayurveda and tourism, which will be promoted in Latin and Caribbean countries. Wellness tourism is an emerging market where Gujarat has a immense possibilities being rich in herbs , ayurvedic expertise and tourist places." According to the MoU, there would be traditional massages, beauty therapies, ayurveda diet suggestions, lectures and seminars to promote ayurveda. It will be introduced in retreats, spas and resorts in Latin American countries with the help of Indian expertise. The first tourist batch from Latin America will arrive in Ahmedabad this March; the package will include ayurvedic treatment with visits to archeological sites, palaces, temples, heritage sites, animal and bird sanctuaries across the state. Ayurvedic practitioner in UK, Aswin Barot—who hails from Gujarat and was present on the occasion—said, "Ayurveda has a huge following in the West and we need to propagate its positive impact on an individual. Ayurveda tourism will have a wholesome package of Ayurveda treatment with equal focus on promoting Gujarat as a tourist destination."