Kerala to popularise ayurveda during monsoon

Kerala is set to popularise ayurveda therapies among tourists during the monsoon, which arrives in the last week of May, an official said Tuesday.

Popular therapies like 'age halt programme' combine ayurvedic treatment and travel to attract tourists.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) has tied up with Santhigiri Ashram for providing ayurvedic therapies at its various centres across the state.

The duration of the packages ranges from one to 21 days and the cost varies from Rs.1,900 to Rs.1,92,500.

"Our age halt programme, launched in 2012, has sparked huge interest among the tourists both in India and abroad. It is a unique product that combines ayurvedic treatment and travel," said KTDC Managing Director N. Prashant.

"Age Halt is a combination of both recreation and treatment. A tourist who opts for a rejuvenation package at one place can move to other properties of KTDC without any interruption under continuous medical supervision," he said.

"We had organised special road shows in the Middle East last year, and the Arabs are now coming to Kerala for the treatment of lifestyle diseases. They (Arabs) are tempted by the sight of rainfall," he noted.

He also said that the KTDC is setting up a drive-in beach resort at a beach in Kannur district, which will be the largest in Asia.

Overall, Kerala recorded 7.9 lakh international and one crore domestic arrivals in 2012.

Kerala Tourism Director Rani George said ayurveda, as a tourism product, has great prospects in the Middle East, Australia and Russia, besides traditional markets in Germany.