Spas or health resorts are increasingly being considered by many for real, refreshing holidays. Thanks to the stresses and hectic lifestyles of modern times, the quality of life is a real concern. And since a spa has the capacity to enrich one's life and provide that much needed solace, they are becoming the undisputed vacation hot spots these days and their numbers are multiplying.

LEADER IN HEALTH RESORTS

Kerala (in India) is teeming with ayurvedic spas.

‘‘It is the natural beauty of the place and the services offered by these centres that accounts for their popularity,’’ says Alkesh Kumar Sharma, director of the state’s tourism department.

The most natural and safest medical system today, ayurveda has become popular among tourists in recent times.

Kerala is the only place where it is practised in its authentic form.

Moreover, nearby Western Ghats, with evergreen tropical vegetation and bio-diversity, abound in all medicinal plants required in ayurvedic treatment.

Kerala was the first Indian state to announce tourism as an industry. Ayurveda here has been elevated as the USP.

Apart form various Government owned ayurvedic hospitals, there are 38 ayurveda centres approved by the tourism department.

Five of these are owned by KTDC and are running profitably.

To grade the quality of services and facilities provided in the approved ayurveda centres, the Department of Tourism classifies them into Olive Leaf and Green Leaf (which has more criteria to be met than the former).