DUBAI: At a time when Lonely Planet, the world’s top travel guide has selected Sri Lanka as the best destination to visit in 2019, Sri Lanka will be participating at Arab Health 2019 for the first time at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 to 31 January.
Arab Health is the largest health and wellness exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa region, and this year the exhibition has attracted 4,150 companies from over 160 countries, with over 84,500 healthcare and trade professionals expected to visit the four-day event.
Sri Lanka will be making its maiden appearance at the event with the support of leading business establishments and hospitality companies in the wellness sector with the aim of showcasing the wellness product range including the indigenous medical system, which originated over 5000 years ago.
It is well known that wellness tourism is growing in popularity, and more and more tourists are looking at destinations that provide holistic offerings that promote health and well-being. Sri Lanka has identified the large potential that exists for wellness tourism and is taking steps to present the range of wellness products to an international audience that will be in attendance at Arab Health 2019.
The Sri Lankan exhibitors at the event will be Heritance Ayurveda Maha Gedara, Hettigoda Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Barberyn Ayurveda Resorts, Vingyana at Reefs (Kaya Health Resort), Sen Wellness Sanctuary and Tree of Life (Pvt) Ltd.
Ayurveda is the main approach to health and well-being in Sri Lanka’s traditional health system. The wellness industry in Sri Lanka includes several segments like fitness, mind body medicine, preventative medicine, healthy eating, weight loss, beauty, anti-ageing, to name a few. The standard wellness tourism products in Sri Lanka are provided in hotel and resort environments. It builds on body and facial therapies and wet areas such as steam rooms and saunas with a focus on pampering and relaxation.
The tropical climate and outstanding natural beauty of the country enhance the ambience for guests, creating bliss in mind. Most of the wellness resorts in Sri Lanka serve nutritious cuisine based on herbs, farm fresh vegetables, fruits and white fish. Guests under treatment packages are provided a variety of special Ayurvedic meals and beverages crafted to promotewell-being, that have been prescribed by in-house physicians.
Sri Lankan wellness resorts are specialised in Ayurvedic and other indigenous criteria with specially trained male and female therapists with separate treatment rooms for male and female guests.
Some Treatment Modules adopted in Sri Lankan Ayurveda Centres are:
- Neutralizing or Detoxification – to neutralize or nullify the bad effects of toxins and impurities in the system.
- Cleansing or Elimination – to expel the provoked Vata, Pitta, Kapha (doshas) by suitable panchakarma procedure.
- Weight Control – specific herbal medication and diet are prescribed following a special time of treatment.
- Augmenting the body resistance to illness – rejuvenating non-toxic medicaments are prescribed to be taken daily for a stipulated number of days.
- Yoga – Yoga Asanas, Pranayama and Bhavana (Meditation) are taught by competent teachers
- Specific Medication – specific medication which is non-toxic and time tested is prescribed by competent doctors for minor and uncomplicated disorders.
Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” surrounded by pristine beaches, Sri Lanka exceeds the expectations of any traveler. Rich in its diverse culture and history, large expanse of flora and fauna, national parks with accessible wildlife, Sri Lanka’s participation at Arab Health will further promote Sri Lanka as a leading wellness tourism destination.
