India - the Global Hub of Healthcare Tourism

The Indian healthcare sector has witnessed an unprecedented growth in the past few years. This phenomenal success is largely due to the increasing global demand for world-class healthcare facilities. India not only boasts of a huge pool of talented and experienced doctors but also is equipped with the latest technologies that aids in quality diagnosis and treatment of the illnesses. Apart from that, the medical services in India are relatively affordable as compared to that of the developed nations. Superior medical facilities at low cost is the prime factor that has been inducing patients all across the world to seek medical treatment in India. The growth of medical tourism in India has tempted many other countries to introduce packages offering similar facilities, but despite this, India still has an upper hand on them and is moving at a rapid pace towards its objective of becoming the global healthcare destination. Though the services provided by the other countries are good enough, India still continues to have an edge over the others due to a variety of underlying factors.

Some time back, the healthcare tourism industry in India comprised of a handful of big private healthcare providers promoting themselves through tie-ups with various insurance companies and travel agencies. Over the period of time, the Indian government realized the immense potential of the Indian healthcare industry as a major source of employment and foreign exchange revenue generator. It then started collaborating with the smaller as well as the bigger medical service providers and worked together towards the common objective of making India a global hub for world-class healthcare solutions.

Over 5 lakh surgeries, more than a million other successful surgical procedures, a success rate of 98.5% in cardiac surgeries till 2002, 80% success rate in bone marrow transplants and 95% successful renal transplants… statistics can’t get any better than this. India produces the largest number of doctors in the world. Most of these doctors have completed their specializations from premier institutions across the world. India too has some world-class institutions that train these doctors. The presence of some of the best hospitals and medical institutions equipped with good doctors makes India a global choice among the patients worldwide.

Medical research in India has experienced remarkable success in the recent years. There has been substantial investment in the field of biotechnology research. Apart from that India has emerged as a leader in stem cell research. The superior healthcare infrastructure available in India has led her being considered as the preferred location for low cost medical research. Similar research costs a lot more in the developed countries. Several bodies such as the DCGI and ICMR have worked out guidelines to promote medical research in India. The growth and achievements in the field of medical research in India adds further solidity to its global image of a preferred healthcare destination.

The advantages of opting for healthcare tourism in India are manifold. It is not only the cost advantage that works in favor of India in making it an upcoming global healthcare destination; the growing government intervention, private sector investments, country specific marketing strategies, overseas facilitation centers and the unmatched credibility of Indian specialists has played an even bigger role in making India a stronger choice among the patients worldwide.

Aspen Nightlife – Winterskol

Since Aspen is a wintertime playground for so many people, it is only fitting that everyone in Aspen during the month of January participates in Winterskol. This is literally a celebration of winter, cold, and snow – which is a great deal of what makes Aspen, well, Aspen! Winterskol is the ultimate Aspen party.

 

Winterskol is held during the month of January each year, and it is the wildest winter celebration you will ever experience. The highlight of Winterskol is the Canine Fashion Show, where pets are dressed up in crazy clothing, such as miniature bridal gowns. Winterskol has been an Aspen tradition for more than fifty years – and it will continue for at least another fifty! The first Winterskol celebration was held in 1951.

 

 

During Winterskol, more than 40 events are scheduled in the downtown area, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. The entire area gets involved in the activities. Winterskol is a celebration of Aspen’s Nordic ancestry, as well as a celebration of winter. While most events are scheduled in advance,Winterskol also brings several surprises as well. You just never know what you will find at the Winterskol celebration – until you are there.

 

Favorite traditional activities include the Canine Fashion Show, Winter sculpt, the Buttermilk Uphill Race, and Snowmass Splash. Don’t miss the torchlight descent and the fireworks display over Aspen Mountain. Don’t miss the unique competitions happening all over town. There is constant live entertainment all around town as well. If you are planning a ski vacation, and you want to have the time of your life –
your destination should be Aspen, and your arrival date should coincide with the start of Winterskol.

 

Winterskol is an ongoing week long party with something for everyone. Amusement, entertainment, parties, and celebration are top priorities during the week of Winterskol. You have to experience Winterskol at least once in your lifetime – and after you have been once, you will be back. Winterskol is a celebration that is comparable with Mardi Gras in New Orleans – but a lot safer, and in many opinions, more enjoyable.

 

As they do for Mardi Gras, people come from all over the world for Winterskol. Event packages are available, but all of the lodges, hotels, motels, condos, cabins, and campgrounds sell out early. Make sure that you book lodging for Winterskol well in advance, and take advantage of the packages that the
various lodges offer. Packages typically include lodging, airfare, rental cars, and other things that you may require as well.

Aspen Nightlife – The Sneaker Ball

You may have been to many balls in your lifetime, such as Christmas Balls, Spring Balls,and even Debutante Balls – but if you haven’t been to the Sneaker Ball in Aspen, Colorado, you are missing out on all the fun! Known as ‘Aspen’s Greatest Party,’ the Sneaker Ball is held annually at the St. Regis Hotel on East Dean Street every March.

 

Back in 1986, the very first Sneaker Ball was held by Al Gross and David Nauss of Paine Weber, Inc – in Boston. The party was a celebration of Reebok shares trading on the stock market for the very first time. This black tie event was much like other balls – but everyone was wearing Reeboks, and the first
Sneaker Ball was born.

 

The following year, Al Gross decided that this was the kind of party that people really liked – but instead of being limited to white Reeboks, the idea would be for the guests to wear formal gowns and tuxedos, with decorated tennis shoes. The party was moved to Aspen, where people know how to party – and thousands of people from all over the world fly into Aspen to attend.

 

One of the nicest things guests like about the Sneaker Ball is that it is for a good cause. All of the proceeds go to Grass Roots, which is a program designed to help inner-city kids. These kids are brought to Aspen to experience what life outside the city is. Many of these kids don’t even realize that places like Aspen really exist. Tickets cost $125 per person, which isn’t too bad considering that the money is for a good cause.

 

People from diverse backgrounds attend the Sneaker Ball each year. Famous people are there, infamous people, and people who are neither famous nor infamous attend – and every one has a fantastic time. The party gets started at about 9:30pm and ends around 1:30am – followed by many ‘after parties’ in various locations throughout Aspen.

 

If you’ve ever wanted to attend one of those glitzy ‘Hollywood type’ parties, here is your chance! You will rub elbows with the famous, show off your custom designed sneakers along with your formal wear, and dance the night away – and all for a very good cause. 

 

This is an event that sells out fast. Contact the Chamber of Commerce in Aspen to find out when the Sneaker Ball is scheduled, and purchase your tickets right away. Also check with the various hotels and lodges to inquire about package deals and get your reservations set before everything is sold out!

Aspen Nightlife – The Caribou Club

According to The New York Post, the Caribou Club is the absolute best private club in America. This is a member’s only private club, and the membership fee is quite high – but the ambiance is top-notch! The Caribou Club is located in Aspen, Colorado on East Hopkins Avenue.

 

The club is open from 6:30pm until 2am every day, and you can enjoy dinner and dancing, or lounge in the Great Room before a roaring fireplace with a fine cigar. The wine cellar houses over 5000 wines from around the world.

 

There is more to The Caribou Club than fine dining and dancing, however. When you enter the club, you are entering a world of elegance that can only be experienced here. The walls are covered with 19th century paintings. There is a coat room, where your coat will be taken from you, and you are made to feel like a very welcome houseguest. You can then go to the bar, the Great Room, or be seated for dinner – the choice is yours.

 

The Caribou Club has only been open for about ten years, but it has become an integral part of Aspen nightlife for the rich and famous – and even for those who are not famous, nor rich, but who can afford to pay the membership fees. When you enter the Great Room at The Caribo u Club, you will probably see faces that you know – even if you don’t know these famous people on a personal level.

 

You don’t even have to be in Aspen to enjoy the cuisine offered by The Caribou Club. Your event can be catered by the club, no matter how large or small it is, or where it is located. You can have your event catered anywhere in the world! Private parties can also be held at The Caribou Club.

 

Again, the cost is fairly high. Lifetime membership for a couple is $10,000. Individual membership for two  people is $3000 for the first year, and $1000 for each additional year, paid annually.

 

Family membership for up to five people costs $4000 per year. A temporary membership is available for one week. The cost is $500 and covers one couple. However, during Holidays and President’s Weekend, the cost is $1000.

 

As you can see, The Caribou Club is quite exclusive – but depending on the type of nightlife you enjoy, the cost of membership is well worth it – even if you only visit once a year.

Aspen Nightlife – Taste Festival

Winter time isn’t the only time to visit Aspen. There is a great deal going on each summer, and one of the highlights each June is the Taste Festival. This is also called the Food & Wine Magazine Classic, and people from all over the world arrive in droves for this three day event.

 

Cookbook authors, wine experts, restaurateurs, and famous chefs can all be found here. Wolfgang Puck, Jacques Pepin, and Andrea Immer have all attended the Taste Fest in Aspen – because if food is your life, this is the place to be! Each year, there are over eighty cooking and food demonstrations, and visitors can get a taste of it all.

 

There are many seminars and wine tasting sessions held throughout Aspen during these three days as well. If you want to attend this incredible mouth watering event, make your reservations months in advance – or you will miss out! If you don’t make your reservations early, try to find a hotel with space available in a nearby town, and drive back and forth to the event – check the local camp grounds as well. Just make sure you don’t miss this event!

Aspen Nightlife – Music in the Mountains

There is always something of interest going on in Aspen, and September is no different. During the month of September, every year, JAS comes to Snowmass. JAS, or Jazz Aspen Snowmass, began in 1991 to honor the art of Jazz in the Roaring Fork Valley. It has now become a music attraction that lasts all summer long, with the biggest celebration coinciding with Labor Day weekend.

 

While this is a Jazz celebration, for all intents and purposes, all types of music are celebrated, including reggae and rock-n-roll. Famous musicians and singers from around the world attend the four day Music in the Mountains celebration.

 

All events take place in the breathtaking Snowmass Town Park, located on Brush Creek Road in Snowmass. Snowmass Village is one of the most beautiful places in the United States, and this festival is extremely popular. It is vital that you purchase your tickets well in advance, and arrange lodging well in
advance also. Snowmass advises that if you do not have a ticket, to not show up for the festival – it will be sold out.

Aspen Nightlife – The Wheeler Opera House

The Wheeler Opera House has been an integral part of Aspen nightlife, history, and culture since 1889 when Mr. J.B Wheeler and the Conried Company presented The King’s Fool. While the building started out as an Opera House, it was only used for town meetings and such by 1893, when the silver mines had played out.

 

The Wheeler Opera House remained open until 1912 when it was gutted by not one, but two fires in one week! The Opera House did not open again until June of 1946 when it was leased by the Aspen Company. The total restoration went on until 1960. Between the years of 1912 and 1946 the Wheeler Opera
House remained empty, and it was used as a playground by the local children.  

 

During the 1960’s and 1970’s, The Wheeler Opera House was mainly used as a movie theater. However, in 1979, the city decided to restore the Opera House to its original grandeur, and this restoration was completed in 1984. The cost was 4.5 million dollars.

Today, the Wheeler Opera House is on the National Registrar of Historical Places. Many events, such as lectures, concerts, plays, films, and musicals are held at The Wheeler Opera House today. You can see Broadway shows, jazz concerts, country and rock concerts, and even children’s theater here. Any type of cultural event you can imagine is held here – and shows are scheduled throughout the year. Locals consider the Wheeler Opera House the ‘crown jewel of Aspen.

’ Nationwide, it is considered a world class theater – and with the detailed woodwork it is certainly a sight to behold! The Opera House is still in its original location on Hyman Avenue, in the heart of downtown
Aspen. You can call to find out what events are planned, and to purchase tickets. Remember that this is a popular place, and shows do sell out quickly – so purchase your tickets as early as possible. You should also be aware that children under the age of three years old are not permitted for live performances, unless the performance is for children specifically.

Cameras and recording devices are not permitted for performances. The Wheeler Opera House can also be rented for a variety of special occasions and events, such as parties, receptions, weddings, conferences, and seminars. Events such as these are usually held on the second floor, where guests will enjoy a breathtaking view of Aspen Mountain, as well as the city.

Aspen Nightlife – Harris Concert Hal

There is always something going on in Aspen, Colorado and the Aspen nightlife is very active. You can find a wide variety of things to do – but if you want a little culture, you should definitely find out what events are planned at the Harris

Concert Hall.

At the Harris Concert Hall, you will find everything from Piano Recitals to Rock-n-Roll Concerts. Events are planned well in advance, so you should be able to find out what concerts and events are scheduled to coincide with your Aspen vacation.

 

The Harris Concert Hall is located in the West end of Aspen, in a quaint residential neighborhood. Due to parking and traffic problems, you should strongly consider walking to the concert hall. It is a short ten minute walk from the downtown area. Other transportation options include biking or taking the bus. When there are events at the concert,it is very difficult to find parking.

 

The Aspen Music Festival and School were founded in 1949 by Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke from Chicago. Many music professionals train here and all of the school and festival performances take place in the Harris Concert Hall, which seats over 2000 people.

 

You should definitely try to visit Aspen during the Music Festival. This takes place over a nine week period in the summer, and there are usually more than 200 planned events. People from all over the world come to the Aspen Music Festival, so be sure that you make your plans and reservations early! Another exciting event that takes place at the Harris Concert Hall is the Aspen Film Festival. This festival takes place three times each year.

The Aspen Shortsfest is held in the Spring. The Aspen Filmfest is held during the Fall, and the Aspen Academy Screenings are held during the Winter. Again, people come from all over the world for these events, so make your plans early.

 

The Harris Concert Hall is full of history, even though the newest section of it wasn’t built until recently. This is a major part of Aspen’s history and culture, and you should try to attend at least one event at the Harris Concert Hall while you are in Aspen. Most events take place in the evening; however there are also events that take place during the day. You can check with your lodge or hotel to find out what events
are planned at the Concert Hall each day. Also inquire about the need to purchase advance tickets for specific events.

Aspen Nightlife – Country & Western Dancing

 

Polka Dancing Push & Return Step

 

Believe it or not, there is only one place in Aspen where you can scoot a boot across the dance floor to the sounds of George Strait, and other Country & Western favorites – Shooter’s Salon. Shooter’s Salon is located on South Galena Street, and they are open from 6:30pm to 2am every day, and again, this club has the distinction of being the only Country & Western club in the whole town of Aspen, Colorado.

 

Here, cowboy hats, creased jeans, and boots are the expected attire. During the week, the music is provided by a DJ, and on weekends live bands provide the tunes. If you don’t know how to do the Texas Two-Step, you can learn how on any Thursday night which is when Shooter’s offers free Country dance lessons.

 

 

Good beer, good music, great dancing, friendly games of pool or darts – Shooter’s is a place where all cowboy’s and cowgirl’s will feel right at home. If you want to let your hair down, without having to worry about breaking any of the rules set by ‘polite society’ in the other fine establishments located in Aspen, Shooter’s is the place to do it!

Aspen Nightlife – Aspen Recreation Center

While the Aspen Recreation Center closes just before 9pm, there is quite a bit of enjoyment to be had here after a day on the slopes. If you get there right after leaving the slopes, and eat a late dinner – after the center closes – you will have plenty of time to enjoy what the ARC has to offer.

 

 

The climbing walls at the center are the biggest attraction. The ARC features approximately 3100 feet of climbing walls for your enjoyment. There is also a 3-D climbing tower with more than 25 routes and four auto belays.

 

Another nice feature at the Aspen Recreation Center is the pool area. The James E. Moore Pool area features two pools. One pool is 25 yards in length and features six lanes, while the other pool is for recreation and has a two story slide, a lazy river, and spray features. You will also find a dry sauna, a steam room, and hot tubs in the pool area.

 

The Lewis Ice Arena is also located at the Aspen Recreation Center. Completed in the Spring of 2003, the arena features an NHL regulation size skating surface, grandstand seating for 450, a skate shop, locker rooms, and shower rooms. Public skating, skating lessons, figure skating, youth and adult hockey, and skating shows are available. You can also host private parties at the arena. High altitude training is also offered here.

 

You will also find cardio and weight rooms at the center, and many fitness classes are also offered. The Aspen Recreation Center hosts many off-site activities in the Aspen area as well, such as golf, tennis, climbing, aquatics, sailing, skateboarding, ceramics classes, baseball, softball, soccer, hockey, and various camps. 

 

Babysitting services are available at the center as well. This place is a great way to wrap up a day of activity and wind down before your evening meal. Again, the Aspen Recreation Center closes just before 9pm, so make sure you head there right after leaving the slopes for the day. 

 

Admission for guests is $13 for youths and $15 for adults. Admission includes access to the climbing towers, swimming pool area, ice skating rink, weight room, cardio room, adult fitness classes, water aerobics, climbing wall and playhouse, and tennis courts. The Aspen Recreation Center is a great place
for every member of the family. Call ahead to find out about any planned events that are going on for even more entertainment options.

Aspen Nightlife – Art Galleries

 

Aspen is famous for more than skiing. There are currently more than thirty art galleries in and around
the Aspen area, where art created by famous artists around the world resides. Visiting the art galleries in
Aspen is a must, and no Aspen vacation will be complete without this taste of culture.

 

Most of the art galleries are within walking distance of each other, arranged in a three by four block area.
This area is located between Spring Street and Monarch Street, and Hopkins Avenue and Durant Street.

 

You will find everything from vintage poster art at the Omnibus Gallery to Impressionism art at the Galerie Du Bois. Visit the Highline Gallery for glass art and the Pam Driscol Gallery for bronze sculpture art. Contemporary collections can be found at the Baldwin Gallery.

 

While some galleries are open after hours, many close around 5pm. It is important to find out the operating hours of the galleries that you want to visit ahead of time. Many shows and events are planned
at the galleries for the evening hours as well.

Aspen Nightlife

 

Finding things to do in Aspen, Colorado during the day isn’t difficult – get out on the slopes and ski or enjoy one of the other winter sports that you love. At night, however, Aspen really comes to life with Aspen nightlife! No matter how old or young you are, there is something to do in Aspen twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

 

Music and dancing are the biggest Aspen nightlife attractions, but there is more to do than just that – so if you aren’t quite old enough to get into the various bars and clubs in the area, don’t think that you will be bored at night – you won’t be! Start by finding out what activities are planned for the evening at your lodge or hotel. Most lodges and hotels have events planned throughout the season – and this is a good place to start finding things to do after the slopes have closed for the day.

 

 

Shopping in Aspen is another highlight. There are many galleries and specialty shops that you won’t
find in your own hometown. Take advantage of this. Most shops are open after the slopes have closed
for the day, and many stay open late because they understand that you want to spend your daylight
hours out on the slopes.

 

If you aren’t old enough for the club scene, take advantage of the teen nights that are offered by many
of the resorts. These are safe fun nights for teens, which parents will approve of.  Teens also enjoy the
offerings at many of the spas. Spas aren’t just for adults. Enjoy the skin treatments, massages,
saunas, and hot tubs. Some resorts also have game rooms for the teens and younger kids.

 

If you are old enough for the bars and clubs – finding something to do won’t be hard at all. Again, find out
what is happening in the evening at your lodge or hotel first. If you aren’t interested, hit the streets.
Almost everything is within walking distance in Aspen, and anything that is out of walking distance is
accessible by bus or taxi. If you will be drinking, do not drive your car to the bar or club – find
alternate transportation.

 

The Aspen Recreation center has many planned events throughout the season that are appropriate for
adults and kids. However, if you are planning to bring the kids, but you want to enjoy some adult Aspen
nightlife as well, child care may be available through your lodge or hotel.