THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Close to 100 buyers and 300 sellers from within the country and abroad discussed business prospects at the ongoing Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF-2023), exploring stronger international cooperation between Ayurvedic hospitals and tourism players.
A pivotal business-to-business meet the GAF hosted today at the Greenfield Stadium in suburban Karyavattom saw the participation of 250 tour operators from across the globe and more than 50 manufacturers of Ayurvedic medicines, besides 30-plus traders.
The B2B meet was inaugurated by Dr Martins Ochubiojo Emeje, head of Complementary Medicines Nigeria, who exhorted to make full use of increasing acceptability for alternative medicines the world over. “Several African countries are repositories of herbal plants with medicinal value. These countries have their indigenous medical systems too,” he pointed out. “We need to earn stronger presence and reputation at the global level. For that, international events such as GAF hold great promise and significance. The role of India is critical in the movement.”
Goa Tourism Deputy Director Dhiraj R Vagle said the B2B meets at the December 1-5 GAF will facilitate stronger international collaborations in alternative medicines.
The B2B meets focused on two divisions: products and services. Major companies of herbal medicines in the country were presented as product manufacturers. On the other hand, tour operators and travel agents represented the services in the sector. While Ayurvedic hospitals, resorts and clinics took part in the meet as sellers, Ayurveda tour-travel operators, doctors and consultants were the buyers.
The meet expects to boost wellness tourism in the country, thereby leading to a rise in the number of foreign travellers to India, according to experts.
A session was held as part of the meet with Somatheeram Group Chairman Baby Mathew as the chair. The other speakers included Ayush Advisor Dr Raghu, Rasayana Ayurveda Centre CTO Dr V. Madhava Chandran, Kerala Medium and Small Enterprises Director Prakash, Kerala Tourism Development Association General Secretary Kottukal Krishnakumar, Citrine Hospitalities Chairman Prasad Manjali, AHMA President Dr. Vijayan Nangeli, Ayurveda Medial Association Vice-President Dr. Vishnu Namboothiri, B2B Meet Coordinator Dr Abhilash and Convenor Siji Nair.
Dr Sameer Sadekar of North Goa District Hospital, Somatheeram Ayurveda Group Corporate General Manager Chithra, Assistant Director (Publicity) V. Sreekumar and K.K. Swamy of K.K. Consultants also spoke.
The five-day conclave is being organised by the Ayush Ministry, Kerala government and various Ayurvedic establishments under the aegis of the Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action. The GAF, with delegates from 70 countries, concludes on Tuesday.
