Abstract
The state of Kerala in India is considered as a ‘tourist’s paradise’. Tourism in Kerala is really non-seasonal in nature. Cultural Tourism is travel to experience and, in some cases, participate in a vanishing lifestyle that lies within human memory. Culture and tradition play an important role in the promotion of tourism. Kerala State is so much inclined to cultural and health tourism. Now a day’s people are more aware of the importance of health. They are conscious in maintaining a healthy body, mind and soul. People visit tourism destinations normally for leisure and recreation. Health tourism comprises of two terms healthcare and tourism; and it involves a combination of resources of healthcare and tourism. Tourism and the hospitality industry can develop only with the cooperation and wholehearted patronage of a friendly and hospitable host community. It is with this objective that the Department of Tourism is envisaging a massive awareness campaign in the State. One of the major attractions of health tourism is their holistic treatment in Ayurveda and in Allopathy at various Multi specialty hospitals, Ayurvedic centers specialized by Govt. of Kerala, among them are top hospitals situated in Malabar region of Kerala, like Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala, Aster MIMS Calicut, KIMS Alshifa Petinthalmanna, Metro, Meitra Hospital Calicut and BMH Calicut. Here, the study aims to find out the satisfaction level of the Health tourists relating the services provided in Health tourism sectors in the Malabar region of Kerala. Success of Health treatment depends upon the satisfaction level of Health tourists regarding facilities, services available in Health tourism sectors. The Hospitals in Malabar region are not only competitive but also luxurious and comfortable in all aspects, satisfying the tourists by all means. They offer the ideal and the perfect blend of convenience and efficiency to tourists. It helps the tourists in discovering with a holistic approach of natural life in healthy treatment of their illness and wellness as per their requirement; apart from that, these are extremely eco-friendly. Tourists are given protection and their needs are satisfied by the health centers. By analyzing the responses the findings are made and on the basis of the findings, suggestions are made to promote the Health tourism in Malabar region of Kerala. For this, the data has been collected from tourists, both domestic and international who had visited these hospitals and resort centers in the Malabar region of Kerala. The questions were more concentrated on the satisfaction level of visitors relating to the various facilities available in the Hospitals.
Keywords:Health tourism, economic impact, satisfactory levels, service quality of Malabar region of Kerala
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