Journal of Hospitality Application and Research

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Development of a Health and Wellness Centre at Manipal-an Introspection


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1 Dr. MGR Educational and Research, University Chennai.
     

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The concept of wellness developed by doctor Halbert Dunn in 1959 defines this as the special state of health comprising of overall sense of wellbeing dependent on environment, body, spirit, and mind. The holistic approach to wellness tourism is now creating major opportunities for destinations, resorts, spas, hotels and other smaller business throughout the tourism industry. Since last decade, India has emerged as one of the most important hub for health wellness and medical tourism. Many people from the developed countries come to India for rejuvenation by siddha, yoga and ayurvedic massage therapies as well as high end surgeries like cardiac or knee/hip replacement and spiritual healing. The "Ayush" department of Karnataka state is promoting the yoga and ayurvedic spa tourism as a best remedy to refresh mind and body and refill the spirit with freshness and peace. Keeping in view the current scenario of health and wellness tourism in the state, a study has been conducted to identify Manipal's potential to be developed as a health and wellness tourism centre and the various factors that influence Manipal as a health and wellness tourism destination. This was done by considering the variables such as motivational factors, facilities, location and marketing. Since majority of the population mix of Manipal are students, one of the main motives for the students are of stress relief, fitness, exercise and considered important in wellbeing, health and wellness. The presence of sports and physical fitness Center "Marena", yoga and ayurveda Department at Kasturba Medical College, Muniyal Ayurveda College, SDM Yoga, Nature cure and Ayurveda-an apt destination for health and wellness. The eight P's of hospitality tourism marketing (Product, Place, Price, Promotion, People, Process, Productivity&Quality and Physical evidence) are quite visible in Manipal.

Keywords

Health and Wellness, Destination Tourism, Physical Facilities, Promotion, Marketing, Motivational Factors
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  • Development of a Health and Wellness Centre at Manipal-an Introspection

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Authors

Y. G. Tharakan
Dr. MGR Educational and Research, University Chennai.

Abstract


The concept of wellness developed by doctor Halbert Dunn in 1959 defines this as the special state of health comprising of overall sense of wellbeing dependent on environment, body, spirit, and mind. The holistic approach to wellness tourism is now creating major opportunities for destinations, resorts, spas, hotels and other smaller business throughout the tourism industry. Since last decade, India has emerged as one of the most important hub for health wellness and medical tourism. Many people from the developed countries come to India for rejuvenation by siddha, yoga and ayurvedic massage therapies as well as high end surgeries like cardiac or knee/hip replacement and spiritual healing. The "Ayush" department of Karnataka state is promoting the yoga and ayurvedic spa tourism as a best remedy to refresh mind and body and refill the spirit with freshness and peace. Keeping in view the current scenario of health and wellness tourism in the state, a study has been conducted to identify Manipal's potential to be developed as a health and wellness tourism centre and the various factors that influence Manipal as a health and wellness tourism destination. This was done by considering the variables such as motivational factors, facilities, location and marketing. Since majority of the population mix of Manipal are students, one of the main motives for the students are of stress relief, fitness, exercise and considered important in wellbeing, health and wellness. The presence of sports and physical fitness Center "Marena", yoga and ayurveda Department at Kasturba Medical College, Muniyal Ayurveda College, SDM Yoga, Nature cure and Ayurveda-an apt destination for health and wellness. The eight P's of hospitality tourism marketing (Product, Place, Price, Promotion, People, Process, Productivity&Quality and Physical evidence) are quite visible in Manipal.

Keywords


Health and Wellness, Destination Tourism, Physical Facilities, Promotion, Marketing, Motivational Factors

References