EaseMyTrip — an online travel platform — on Sep 17 announced its move to enter the growing medical tourism industry in India as the number of medical tourists is projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
The company has acquired a 49% equity stake in Pflege Home Healthcare for ₹30 crore, and a 30% stake in Rollins International for ₹60 crore.
In total, the board of the online travel platform has approved acquisitions worth Rs 90 crore to delve into medical tourism, the company said in an exchange filing.
According to data recently released by credit rating agency Crisil, the number of medical tourists visiting India is projected to be around 7.3 million in 2024, up from 6.1 million estimated in 2023.
The last time these figures touched 7 million was in 2019, before crashing due to Covid-19-induced lockdowns.
India has become a popular choice for ‘medical value travel’ in recent times and the country’s potential in this space is expected to grow further, Anas Abdul Wajid, senior director and chief sales and marketing officer at Max Healthcare was quoted as saying.
“The availability of top healthcare infrastructure, a pool of skilled and well-trained medical experts, and cost-effective treatment alternatives make India an appealing destination for those seeking high-quality healthcare services,” he said while seeking to explain the reasons behind the rebound in medical tourism in India after Covid.
Pflege is well-known for its extensive range of home-based medical care, including doctor visits, nursing care, physiotherapy, and the provision of critical medical equipment such as ventilators and oxygen.
Their patient-centric approach, which focuses on delivering compassionate care at home, will now be integrated into EaseMyTrip’s offerings for customers seeking medical treatments abroad.
Through this partnership, EaseMyTrip aims to create opportunities for those looking for accessible healthcare solutions, particularly in Dubai — a major hub for global medical tourists.
Speaking on the acquisitions, Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, said, “Our portfolio has expanded significantly with the inclusion of Rollins International and Pflege Home Healthcare,”
“This move allows us to revolutionize medical tourism, making it more accessible and convenient for our customers. Whether for medical treatment or wellness retreats, we are committed to providing seamless, high-quality care to both domestic and international travelers,” he added.
The online travel platform has also acquired a 30% stake at ₹ 60 crore in Rollins International, a company specializing in gluten-free, lactose-free, and allergen-free food products, health supplements, and new-age wellness therapies.
Rollins operates several wellness centers across major cities in India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, and is expected to expand further.
This acquisition will enable EaseMyTrip to cater to a growing market of health-conscious travelers who prioritize wellness and dietary needs during their trips.
By integrating the expertise of Rollins in wellness and allergen-free products, the online travel platform aims to create experiences that address the unique health and lifestyle needs of its customers.
“We are thrilled to partner with EaseMyTrip, combining our focus on wellness and allergen-free products with their expansive travel network. Together, we will provide health-focused travel experiences that meet the evolving lifestyle needs of today’s travelers.” said, Rohan Jain, co-founder of Rollins International in a statement.
Medical tourism — also known as health tourism or global healthcare — involves individuals traveling abroad to access medical care, often due to lower costs, cultural preferences, or the availability of treatments not offered in their home countries.
