This article has been contributed by Mr. Rajeev Taneja, Founder and CEO, GlobalCare Health
If you think medical tourism is just about saving money on surgeries abroad, think again.
India’s medical tourism industry is racing toward USD 142.7 billion by 2032, but what’s fueling this rapid growth isn’t only affordability; it’s a new breed of traveller, led by Millennials, Gen Z patients, and the increasingly discerning new Indian traveller. For them, healthcare journeys are no longer about flying in for a bargain surgery. They want clarity, comfort, digital support, cultural nuance, wellness add-ons, and experiences that make their journey feel less like a clinical errand and more like a blend of healing and discovery.
Beyond Cost: What Younger Patients Really Want
A decade ago, medical tourists came to India primarily because of affordable treatment options. Global patients could access world-class cardiac, orthopaedic, or cosmetic surgeries at a fraction of what they would spend in the US, UK, or Europe. Cost was the magnet, plain and simple.
Today, while affordability remains relevant, it’s no longer the central pillar — more like the starting point. Millennials and Gen Z patients are wired differently. They want:
- Quality of Care: Advanced, accredited hospitals, cutting-edge technology, and experienced specialists.
- Time Efficiency: No long waiting lists. Healthcare on-demand is an expectation.
- Digital Experience: Seamless online consultations, medical records sharing, and clear communication.
- Customization: Tailored treatment journeys that reflect cultural and personal needs.
- Reputation & Trust: Hospitals with global accreditations and doctors whose expertise is easy to verify.
This evolution marks a major shift. Instead of being passive recipients of affordable care, young medical tourists are active decision-makers — researching, comparing, and curating their own healthcare plans. They want healthcare that is accessible, reliable, technologically advanced, and compassionate.
When younger patients think about medical tourism, cost is just one lens. What takes priority is peace of mind. They want clarity at every step, from initial enquiry to after-care. Transparency is essential: pricing, treatment plans, recovery timelines, even hidden charges. They often demand video consultations before travel, allowing them to make informed decisions.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
For Gen Z and Millennials, trust, guidance, and a holistic experience matter as much as the surgery itself. Here are the numbers that speak for themselves. In 2020, India’s Medical Value Travel (MVT) sector stood at USD 2.89 billion. By 2026, it’s expected to hit USD 13.42 billion. Already, in just the first few months of the year, over 1.3 lakh people came to India for treatment, over 4% of all foreign tourists.
But these numbers are more than statistics. They reflect the rise of healthcare facilitator specialists who are not just “middlemen,” but trusted partners who connect patients to hospitals, ensure transparent pricing, organize logistics, and offer post-care support. They’re the bridge between anxious patients and world-class Indian medical institutions.
Sanvi Barjatya
Why This Generation is Different?
Think about the new generation, how Millennials and Gen Z shop, eat, travel or even date. Everything is researched, reviewed, and compared online. Healthcare is no different. Millennials and Gen Z are digital natives. They research online, compare hospitals across destinations, read patient stories, and value transparency. That’s why digital platforms and healthcare facilitators are critical. They connect patients with Indian providers and offer curated, end-to-end journeys.
This makes digital-first healthcare facilitation platforms critical. They’re not directories; they’re end-to-end ecosystems offering second opinions, visa support, curated treatment packages, accommodation, and wellness add-ons. Essentially, they transform treatment plans into patient experiences. This approach ensures that both patients and hospitals gain from the ecosystem. For them, a medical journey isn’t just treatment. It’s an end-to-end experience, where recovery doesn’t stop when they leave the hospital; it extends to aftercare, wellness, and peace of mind.
The Role of Facilitators & Hospitals
Top facilitators go beyond treatment coordination. They understand cultural sensitivities, provide translators, and even curate healing itineraries. For example, a patient coming for cardiac treatment might also receive an option to extend recovery at a yoga retreat in Rishikesh. Meanwhile, Indian hospitals are making bold moves too:
- Centres of Excellence in specialties like cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopaedics, and reproductive medicine.
- International accreditations like NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals) or JCI (Joint Commission International).
- Global patient departments with trained staff to handle visa paperwork, foreign currencies, and translational services.
This two-way collaboration facilitators curating journeys and hospitals strengthening clinical depth, ensures India remains competitive against international hubs.
Government’s “Heal in India” Push
The Indian government has recognized this shift and is actively supporting medical tourism through its “Heal in India” initiative. It is designed to make medical travel smoother, covering everything from making appointments to tracking treatment easier. Launching digital patient portals to reduce the unnecessary time and procedures, enabling families and patients to travel easily. Easing of medical visa processes and the initiative promotes India’s natural diversity, offering the best of modern medicine with traditional wellness like Ayurveda, yoga and Indian medicines, where treatment and recovery go together with all-around well-being.
This integration of modern healthcare with holistic wellness resonates especially with the Millennial and Gen Z traveller, who increasingly values both physical recovery and mental balance.
Sanvi Barjatya
Why India Stands Out?
Yes, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and Mexico are established medical tourism hubs. But India has a unique blend that’s hard to beat because of its budget-friendly treatments, doctors who speak English and accredited hospitals, along with traditional wellness. Alongside the balance between modern and traditional healthcare makes India appealing to new generations and new Indian travellers who want to experience both wellness and overall well-being with modern care. This mix speaks directly to the younger traveller, someone who wants healthcare but also a chance to recharge, grow, and experience something meaningful.
Sure, countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Turkey are strong competitors. But India offers a rare combination of affordability + accessibility, even after flights and lodging, costs remain far lower than in developed countries, language advantage – english-proficient doctors make communication smoother; world-class expert Surgeons and specialists trained at leading global institutions; the cultural depth – the option to combine advanced surgery with holistic wellness like Ayurveda, meditation retreats, or scenic rehabilitation stays. For Millennials and Gen Z patients, this is gold. They’re not just seeking a surgery; they want an experience where care, travel, culture, and wellness blend together. India delivers that mix.
The Future: Less Transactional, More Transformational
Medical tourism is no longer “book ticket → get surgery → return home.” It’s about transparent journeys, digital handholding, and transformational healing; Millennials and Gen Z want healthcare journeys that are transparent, digitally-enhanced, and culturally enriching. And in India, all of the ecosystem- hospitals, facilitators, and government programs- are working together, giving India the opportunity to establish itself as not just the treatment center, but a place for healing, wellness, and human connection on a global stage.
In short, the next generation of medical tourism isn’t about saving dollars; it’s about building trust and experience. India is stepping up to that challenge and thriving. India, with its unique mix of affordability, clinical depth, and cultural richness, is positioned not as a fallback solution for cheap healthcare but as a global healthcare destination where treatment, wellness, and human connection converge.
The next chapter of medical tourism isn’t about saving a few thousand dollars on a hip replacement. It’s about building trust, creating meaningful patient experiences, and making health journeys transformational rather than transactional. Millennials, Gen Z, and the new Indian traveller are leading this shift, and India is embracing the challenge beautifully. With hospitals, facilitators, and government aligned, the subcontinent stands on the brink of redefining global healthcare itself. India is no longer just where you come to get treated. It’s where you come to heal, learn, and grow.
Muskaan Kapoor
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