IMPACT OF HEALTH TOURISM ON THE GROWTH OF TOURISM NICHES OF KERALA.

People like to travel to distant parts of the world to see great buildings or other works of art, to learn new languages, to experience new cultures or to taste new cuisine. The purpose of travel may vary with the taste and interest of each person. Tourism destinations have to develop different forms of tourism so as to cope up with the needs of different types of tourists. To excel in the field of tourism a country must develop niche tourism. Optimum utilisation is available tourism resources is possible through niche tourism. Different forms of tourism include adventure tourism, agri tourism, ancestry tourism, cultural tourism, eco tourism, heritage tourism, health tourism, pilgrimage tourism, space tourism, monsoon tourism, backwater tourism etc. This study focuses on the role of health tourism on the promotion of niche tourism of Kerala.The new trend among people is to travel for healthcare. Health conscious people prefer to travel to healthcare destinations. Through health tourism one can enjoy the beauty of flora and fauna, cultural programme etc; of the healthcare destination in addition to medical treatment.