The central government will set up a National Medical and Wellness Tourism Board to boost medical tourism in the country, said Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma on Friday.
The minister was talking on the sidelines of the launch of the new edition of "Atithi Devo Bhava" television commercials, and a brochure titled "India - The Land of Yoga".
The board will integrate various streams of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, naturopathy, Unani and low-cost allopathic treatments, he said.
The minister said that the government has launched a helpline 1363 or 1800-111-363 to help the foreign tourists and guide them on their arrival in India. The helpline will be available in 12 foreign languages within a month. Currently, it is available in Hindi and English.
He announced four new theme-based circuits under the Swadesh Darshan scheme that will be developed in the next year.
These four circuits are Wildlife Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, Desert Circuit and Ramayana Circuit. These will be in addition to the five circuits already being developed by the ministry of tourism.
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The four films launched on Friday would be telecast on various television channels to spread the message of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' across the country about ways to extend hospitality to tourists by adopting an honest and helpful attitude, as well as maintaining cleanliness and hygiene. Actor Aamir Khan is the brand ambassador in these films, directed by ad maker Prasoon Joshi.
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