Rajasthan to promote wellness tourism, ink MoUs with ayurvedic institutes

JAIPUR:

Tourism department

is set to sign an agreement with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur for promoting

wellness

tourism, which has been smartly branded by states like Kerala and Uttarakhand to attract large number of tourists.

The department is also exploring the possibility of tying up with institutes like Jaipur-based

National Ayurveda Institute

to harness their critical learning in setting a template for others to follow and improvise.

In the 2021-22 Budget announcements, the chief minister proposed to set up an ‘International Centre of Excellence in Panchkkarm’ at Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University as well as medical tourism centres on PPP mode.

Nishant Jain, director, department of tourism, said, “The department will sign an MoU with the Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University. Rajasthan has huge scope for wellness tourism and we want to capitalise on our strengths with such tie-ups.”

Rajasthan has a long ayurvedic tradition and it can be tapped for complementing tourism.

At a recent FICCI-Rajasthan event, prof Pawan Kumar Godatwar, dean, research and head of department of Roga Nidana, National Institute of Ayurveda, said that prakriti analysis can be built into tourism packages which takes around 45 minutes. “National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur is a national hub for prakriti analysis. Customised packages can be made incorporating these ‘prehabilitation’ packages along with culinary packages. NIA would be happy to partner with the department of tourism.”

The opportunities are not lost on the hospitality industry. Addressing the event, Surendra Singh Shahpura, who owns a group of resorts said, “Wellness has a much wider scope covering physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Hotels and resorts can play an important role in creating the ecosystem along with the government.”

When asked about the mechanism for PPP model in promoting wellness tourism, a senior government official said the details will emerge once they start roping in ayurvedic institutes.

“Every body understands that to expand the reach and depth of the wellness sector, the participation of the private sector holds the key as they would be the ones who would drive the segment, “ said the official.