“DEVELOPING HEALTH TOURISM INNOVATIONS IN VARANASI: FOR A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS”

DIMPLE , DR. VIJAY KUMAR SRIVASTAVA , SHASHI SINGH , NEHA , DR. RAKESH KUMAR JAISWAL

A popular destination for health tourism is Varanasi, a city with a long history of spirituality and culture. With the integration of Ayurveda, Yoga, contemporary medical procedures, infrastructure development, governmental support, and sustainable practices, the paper offers a comprehensive plan for turning Varanasi into a destination for health tourism. The objective is to leverage Varanasi's spiritual and cultural legacy to advance socioeconomic development and holistic wellbeing. Access to quality and affordable healthcare is a universal necessity, and health tourism plays a pivotal role in fulfilling this demand. As one of India’s oldest spiritual and cultural centers, Varanasi holds immense potential to emerge as a health tourism hub by integrating traditional wellness practices like Ayurveda, Yoga, and modern healthcare services. This study explores the influence of health and economic indicators on the growth of health tourism, using tourism data as a proxy in the absence of specific health tourism statistics. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to examine how variables such as public health expenditure and infant mortality rates correlate with tourist arrivals and revenue generation. The findings indicate that enhanced healthcare investment and improved health outcomes positively influence tourism inflows. The results underscore the importance of strengthening health infrastructure and service quality in Varanasi to boost its appeal as a competitive health tourism destination. By aligning public health development with cultural and wellness tourism, Varanasi can establish a sustainable and innovative model for holistic community wellness and economic growth.