GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.220 #
ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026
WELLNESS TOURISM IN UTTAR PRADESH
220 # SMT. DARSHANA SINGH:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the number of foreign tourists on medical visa who came to Uttar Pradesh during the last
year and the percentage increase in their number;
(b) the assistance provided to Uttar Pradesh...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.220 # ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 WELLNESS TOURISM IN UTTAR PRADESH 220 # SMT. DARSHANA SINGH:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the number of foreign tourists on medical visa who came to Uttar Pradesh during the last year and the percentage increase in their number;
(b) the assistance provided to Uttar Pradesh under the Heal in India campaign;
(c) whether there is a proposal to set up medical desks for foreign patients at major airports such as Varanasi and Lucknow; and
(d) the schemes being implemented in the State to promote AYUSH-based wellness tourism? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. *******STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.220 # ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 REGARDING WELLNESS TOURISM IN UTTAR PRADESH RAISED BY SMT. DARSHANA SINGH.
(a): The Bureau of Immigration captures and provides the information on foreign tourist arrivals to the Ministry of Tourism at the national level. The number of foreign tourists who visited India on medical visa during the year 2025 with percentage change over the year 2024 is given below:
Number of foreign tourists who visited India on medical visa in Percentage change 2024 2025 (Provisional) 644,387 502,845 -21.97
(b): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of AYUSH, as well as the State Government of Uttar Pradesh have informed that the requested information is not maintained by them.
(c): There is no exclusive provision for medical desks for foreign tourists. However, at present, all airports have arrangements to provide primary medical assistance to any passenger who is found to be sick during arrival or departure. Such passengers are attended to at the Medical Inspection Room available at the airport. These facilities are generally operated by hospitals that are engaged or linked by the respective airport operator for providing medical services within the airport premises.
In addition, during routine public health activities as well as during Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC), the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) undertakes health screening of international passengers. If any passenger is identified with illness or a medical condition requiring attention, the individual is referred for further medical evaluation and treatment at the designated medical facility or hospital as per established protocols.
(d): As per the UP-Tourism Policy-2022, the state provides subsidy and various other incentives to new tourism units established in the state during the policy period. AYUSH-based Wellness Centers and Wellness Resorts are also among the supported categories.
They have further informed that: i. All new units established in the state are entitled to get 100% Stamp Duty exemption, Development charge and Conversion fee waiver and ii. They can also avail 25 to 30% capital subsidy or Interest subsidy.
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