Ayurvedic Spas become Popular Travel Destinations

March 21, 2007

(Ayushveda.com) - People all over the world are rediscovering the joys of nature. The latest in this trend are the Ayurvedic spas and resorts which have mushroomed in several Indian and foreign destinations in the recent few years. These Ayurvedic spas are situated in idyllic locations amidst natural beauty, and are run by a team of people proficient in the principles of Ayurvedic techniques. The focus is on healing and rejuvenation of the body through Ayurveda and its complementary science, yoga. Techniques like shirodhara, praanayama, yogic asanas and several Ayurvedic therapies are practiced in these spas and resorts.

The Travel Agents Association of India has confirmed the popularity of these Ayurvedic spas all over the world. They have mentioned the presence of an Indian as well as a foreign clientele to their spas, and have also affirmed an increase in the numbers of people visiting the spas. The basic reason for this increasing number of people visiting Ayurvedic resorts is the enormous amount of information available on the net, which has made the whole world conscious of the miracles of Ayurvedic cure.

There is also another intriguing trend. In the past, it was observed that only middle-aged or elderly people would visit such Ayurvedic resorts. But in recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of younger population visiting them. Parents often take their children along also, making the age of the average Ayurvedic spa visitor quite less.

More than the Indians, foreigners are visiting Ayurvedic spas. According to estimates by the Travel Agents Association of India, about 95% of the visitors of Ayurvedic spas are foreigners. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, these spas are perhaps the only outlets for the foreigners to learn about yoga and Ayurveda, while for Indians there are several other options. Another reason is that these spas are very expensive, and so they are generally out of the average Indian family’s budget.

Many of such Ayurvedic resorts are located in the south Indian state of Kerala, which is called as God’s own country. Kerala is perhaps the most prolific state in the advancement of Ayurveda in the world. They have brought in their own version of several of the Ayurvedic therapies, which is evident by their own massage technique, popularly known as the Kerala Ayurvedic Massage.

Other south Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh also are developing their own spas and resorts based around Ayurveda. Each Ayurvedic spa and resort takes its identity from the state in which it is located. North Indian states like Gujarat and Uttaranchal are also famous for their spas and resorts, though they are not as much prolific here as the ones in south India. Though many Ayurvedic spas and resorts have established themselves in foreign countries like Switzerland, Belgium, France and America, their growth is still abysmal compared to world standards. It will be a while before Ayurvedic spas and resorts can establish a firm footing on a global scale.

Almost all the popular Ayurvedic spas and resorts have their own websites, detailing their procedures and costs. They are sometimes associated with hotels to provide better accommodation to their clients. A simple search on the internet will provide information about various Ayurvedic spas and resorts in India.

By introducing Ayurveda in the concept of hospitality, the Indian Ayurvedic scene is sure to increase by leaps and bounds. Already, a boom in the number of visitors in these resorts is predicted and the figures coming in every month only prove that the upward trend is here to stay for a long time to come.