BWI: Ministry of Tourism to provide privileged incentives for NABH Accredited Wellness Centre and Accredited Ayurveda Hospitals

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Quality Council of India (QCI)
Wednesday, August 24, 2011 12:12 PM IST (06:42 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Travel & tourism; Business: Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Travel & tourism; Healthcare
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Ministry of Tourism to provide privileged incentives for NABH Accredited Wellness Centre and Accredited Ayurveda Hospitals
To promote India as an incredible wellness tourism destination offering varied niche products-A destination of 365 Days

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, August 24, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Ministry of Tourism has announced privileged incentives for NABH Accredited Wellness Centres and Accredited Ayurveda Hospitals. This is in continuation of the launch of Wellness Accreditation program by the Ministry of Tourism on 14th February 2011.

National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) which is a constituent board of Quality Council of India has been providing Accreditation to Ayurveda Hospitals & Wellness centre which includes Spas, Ayurveda Centres, Yoga & Naturopathy Centres, Fitness Centres, Skin Care Centres etc.

Under the Scheme, "Mark of Excellence" would be provided to the accredited wellness centres distinguishing them from other non accredited entities, aimed at providing confidence to the international tourists and local tourists that the centres are providing services as per global standards and by credentialed staff (qualified and trained) and rights of customers are protected where the emphasis is on infection control practices and environment safety aspects.

On this occasion, Dr. Girdhar J Gyani, Secretary General, Quality Council of India(QCI) & CEO of NABH observed "The initiative of the Ministry of Tourism to provide privileged incentives for NABH Accredited Wellness Centres and Accredited Ayurveda Hospitals will give a tremendous boost to the NABH's wellness accreditation program. Wellness is a part of the Indian culture. For centuries India has been the leader in this segment of treatment, no country has this amount of abundant knowledge developed and refined over centuries on wellness."

He further added "Today wellness tourism has become a global trend. As such it is essential for destinations here in India to create unique travel experiences that are holistic in nature. It is time that we realized our strength and used it to our advantage"

Unique & long list of incentives & financial assistance announced by Ministry of Tourism for Wellness Centres & Ayurveda Hospitals, who opt for this voluntary accreditation program, will go a long way in firmly establishing India as a world class wellness destination. These incentives will help to promote India as a multiple tourism attraction destination offering varied niche products making India a 365 days tourism destination. Some of the incentives announced by Ministry of Tourism are discussed below in a nutshell.

-- Wellness entities that would opt for wellness accreditation program provided by NABH (QCI) would feature on the incredible India website.

-- All accredited entities will be linked to accredited centers website from the listing.

-- Display of NABH Mark of Excellence and Ministry of Tourism approved logo at
appropriate locations.

-- Listing of Accredited Wellness entities on Incredible India stalls in approved National & International wellness & spa conferences

-- All Accredited Centers can participate in Ministry of Tourism publications & road shows.

-- Financial support for all accredited centers from Ministry of Tourism for participation in the International Wellness Tourism events duly identified and approved under the existing guidelines for Market Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme for Wellness Tourism Service Providers (WTSP). Under this, Financial Assistance would be permissible on travel expenses by air from India to any other country & by air/rail from one country to another abroad, in economy excursion class fair and/or charges of the built up furnished stall, electricity and water charges etc. subject to a maximum of 75% of the total expenditure or Rs.2.00 Lac whichever is less to WTSP. Upto 3 visits for 2 persons from Accredited wellness Centers and Accredited AYUSH Hospitals to participate in International events can be supported by MoT i.e. up to 6 lacs per year can be availed.

-- For Domestic events 4 seminars/events in a financial year, with a ceiling of Rs 10 lakhs each on a 50:50 sharing basis. Also for developing Publicity material: MoT would be providing financial assistance of 67:33 sharing basis to accredited wellness centers subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakhs a year.

-- All the Accredited Entities would be Eligible to apply under the Prestigious Annual National Tourism Awards under Wellness & Spa Category Awards.

The Indian "Wellness" industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel & leisure industry. India has the potential of becoming the most attractive "Wellness" destination for the global travelers. To develop "Wellness" tourism as a niche tourism product and to promote India as a world class "Wellness "destination for attracting both domestic & international tourists, the Ministry of Tourism, Department of Ayush & Quality Council of India are working together. The link given below is for your kind perusal.

http://www.qcin.org/CAS/accr_wellness/



CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. Bhawna Gulati, Quality Council of India (QCI), +91 (11) 23379321/ 23378057

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, TOURISM, HEALTHCARE, TRAVEL, HEALTHCARE

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