The Indian Wellness Tourism Market set to grow aggressively in 2024

Rise in weekend gateways: While wellness tourism will flourish in popular tourist destinations (which would not just be limited to Kerala and Karnataka) the concept of weekend gateways will also thrive. Picturesque and tranquil places located within approachable distances from the major cities will see a jump in wellness centers, Ayurveda hotels, alongside traditional spas, destination spas, detox centers, nature resorts, etc.  

Be it the small misty town of Nandi Hills ( ~ 40 km from Bangalore) or the historical Alwar perched on the Aravalli hilly ranges ( ~ 150 km from NCR), there will be growing demand for weekend tourism hubs. Places that are at an approachable distance from the major cities and can offer tranquil environs will see a rise in investments in wellness resorts, spas, massage therapy centers, etc. 

In addition to the known places, there will be a growing trend to scout relatively unexplored but beautiful locations, as they can give a fresh perspective to discerning tourists. 

Holiday Home Communities will Mushroom: After the pandemic, we have seen a sharp rise in holiday home or second home communities. A sizable portion of tourists now prefer to stay in holiday homes rather than conventional hotels & resorts. 

In 2024, the second-home communities will further grow, with many investing in additional layers of wellness and rejuvenation. The entrance of big hospitality players and real estate developers will also build positive momentum. 

Going forward, it won’t be unusual to see second home projects with naturopathy centers, Ayurveda spas, yoga cottages & reiki studios, herbal drink cafes, farm-to-table restaurants, mindfulness training centers, etc. 

Jump in Medical Tourists Volume: India is an epicenter of global Ayurveda business with the state of Kerala taking center stage. Annually around ~ 0.48 million foreign tourists visit the Southern Indian state for various Ayurveda treatments such as Kayakalp Chikitsa, Panch Karma, Abhayangam , etc. Going forward Ayurveda business will rise in other states as well drawing the attention of foreign tourists. Locations such as Himalayan Foothills, northeast India, Rajasthan, Kashmir valleys, etc. can make a great recipe for the Ayurveda business. 

Meanwhile alongside Yoga & Ayurveda, business themes around other popular practices such as Tantra, Tao, Tibetan therapies, sound healing, etc will also be explored. 

Hotels will invest in the wellness vertical: Regular hotels and resorts will also invest in wellness packages, holistic health packages, and health-based retreats. This won’t just help in creating additional revenue streams but also enable hotels to compete better with their peers. This can also help in the optimal utilization of manpower. Some of the wellness packages would not be directed towards tourists but also local staff to help them improve their efficiencies. 

As discussed above, the concept of wellness will also go beyond Ayurveda therapies, complimentary yoga sessions, and traditional spas. There will be a strong focus on physical, mental as well and emotional well-being. This will also involve tailor-made wellness & detox packages, therapeutic dietary services, preventive health packages, etc. 

Confluence of wellness, fitness, & technology: There will be an increased confluence between wellness, fitness, and technology, backed by an increased focus on prevention healthcare rather than cure. We will see increased use of apps, wearables, and monitoring devices to track overall health & fitness, food & water intake, sleeping patterns, nutrition, etc. The focus would also include anxiety management, mindfulness, stress management, etc.