An Analytical Study of View Points of Respondents About Wellness Tourism in Haryana

Abstract

India is emerging as a leading wellness destination in the world for health conscious consumers. The primary purpose of this segment is to achieve, promote or maintain health and a sense of well-being. It is about being proactive in discovering new avenues to promote a healthier, less stressful life style. Rising income levels, hectic daily routines, increasing self-responsibility towards health etc. are determining factors which led to the development of wellness tourism. Although its origin dates back to 1959 when Halbert Dunn wrote for the first time about a special state of health comprising an overall sense of wellbeing which sees man as consisting of body, spirit and mind and being dependent on his environment. Wellness is not a static concept and is subjective and relative, thus always in flux. For some it is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO); for others it may be a spiritual mystical journey (Perneck and Johnson). Wellness is multidimensional activity which consists of physical fitness/beauty care, healthy nutrition/diet, relaxation/ meditation and mental activity/education and illness prevention. Keeping in view multidimensional aspect of concept of wellness, this study is an attempt to identily the variables which lead to determine market analysis of wellness tourism in Haryana. In the second part, a case study o f two districts namely Kurukshetra and Kaithal is described. Particular attention is drawn to opportunities, challenges and strategies for the development of wellness tourism in Haryana