India is where several wellness practices originated & is worthy of being a popular wellness tourist destination. Let’s take look at the Wellness Tourism scene in India.
Wellness vs Medical Tourism: What’s the Difference?
There are many who think the two are the same, but the two tourism types do differ in their objectives and destinations.
- Medical tourism involves treatments or aesthetic enhancements (surgeries, dental care) that are carried out by professional doctors
- Wellness tourism is about preventing diseases, rejuvenating oneself, and not about treating existing conditions. These are not necessarily provided by conventional medical experts. So basically, if you are planning to go to a wellness retreat, the decision can be taken less seriously.
Popular Wellness Destinations in India
In India, popular wellness destinations are places like Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and places in Uttarakhand.
Popular Wellness Tourism Destinations in India:
- Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
- Ayurvedagram Heritage Wellness Center, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bengaluru, Karnatakax
- The Leela, Kovalam, Kerala
- Vana, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- Sarovaram Ayurvedic Health Center, Ashtamudi, Kerala
- Devaaya, Goa
- Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre, Mysore, Karnataka
- Atmantan, Pune, Maharashtra
- Nimba Nature Cure, Mehsana, Gujarat
- Soukya International Holistic Centre, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- The Beach House, Goa
- Kalari Kovilakom, Payyallur, Kerala
- Wildflower Hall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- SwaSwara, Gokarna, Karnataka
- Amarvilas Spa, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
- Kayakalp, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
- Ashiyana, Goa
- Somatheeram, Kovalam, Kerala
- Amanbagh, Ajabgarh, Rajasthan
Travel & Tourism Colleges in India (including management courses)
People today are spending on wellness holidays and vacations. As a result, there’s a good demand for people in the hospitality industry who can cater to this audience.
There are several professional careers in travel/tourism for working professionals and aspiring students, who wish to be a part of the vibrant Travel and Tourism Industry.
There are several colleges that offer degree and diploma courses in travel & tourism. You will also find management courses in travel & tourism.
Some colleges also offer DISTANCE EDUCATION through our “Easy-to-Study” module which allows students to up-skill their abilities without leaving their jobs.
- ITM Institute of Hotel Management, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Kuoni Academy of Travel
- Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Hotel and Tourism Management Studies
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
How to Make Money As An Online Travel Agent
Everybody loves to travel but then doing all the bookings can be a hassle. That’s where travel agents come in handy.
Now even you can become an online travel agent and make money from the comfort of your own home, setting your own hours, and being part of an exciting and dynamic field.
It doesn’t cost much, you can become a work at home travel agent for as little as $100. Here’s how you would go about starting your own online travel agency.
- Develop a business plan for your business, decide on your goals and budget. As with any other business, the money you make depends on how much work, time, and effort you put into it.
- Read about the various home-based travel agency options, find out what certification or registration is required in your state/country and what educational opportunities are available.
- Obtain the necessary license/ID card (Local Travel Agent Network) to operate as a travel agent. This will be proof that you’re a credible travel agent and will allow you to work with commercial suppliers. Even if your state/country does not require certification, many suppliers prefer to work with agents who have some formal education, and/or are certified through one of the industry’s professional associations.
- Initially, you may have to work with a host agency (to save on start-up costs) rather than venture on your own. If you decide to work as an independent contractor with a host agency, do some research to ensure they are established and reputable.
- Even though you may be fond of traveling and quite knowledgeable about the subject, it may make sense to focus on a niche (a type of travel) initially, such as cruises, honeymoon destinations, Disney packages, particular places, etc. For example, if you have traveled to Europe many times, it makes more sense to focus on vacations to that place. You’re more likely to succeed if you focus on a particular area of travel. It also helps to be familiar with your products.
- Promote yourself/ your business, associate with a group of professional home-based travel agents (there are several social networking groups online)
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