Kerala Tourism plans to standardise ayurveda centres

Kerala Tourism, in association with the Kerala state health department, is planning to standardise ayurveda centres as an answer to the recent complaints that it has been receiving from tourists regarding unpleasant experiences at some of these centres.

"We have been getting complaints from tourists regarding some unpleasant experiences at the ayurvedic centres in Kerala. We have, therefore, drafted a Bill to introduce standardisation at these centres in the state," E K Bharat Bhushan, principal secretary, Kerala Tourism, said on the sidelines of the roadshow organised to promote domestic tourism in Hyderabad.

"Within the next two-three months, we hope to be able to ensure control over the standards of the ayurveda centres that are running in the state," he added.

Banking on the immense potential of health tourism in Kerala, many ayurveda centres have been flooding the landscape of the state. While some are genuine ones, others have been flouting health and safety standards.

However, there is no specific method by which the tourists can know about the standard of the centres and their quality of services.

This step will ensure certification of good ayurveda centres besides the closure of fake ones. Bhushan, however, was unable to disclose the number of centres that would face closure with the introduction of this Bill.

At present, Kerala has just introduced classification of the existing ayurveda centres in two categories "� Green Leaf and Olive Leaf.

While the basic facilities required for both the certifications are the same, the former also requires other criteria like superior quality of architecture and adequate parking space.

Kerala Tourism is initiating these steps to protect and promote its USP in being the home of ayurveda.