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
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