“Never Alone- Sometimes, oh Lord, when I cannot pray, I sit very still with nothing on my mind. But nevertheless, I know You are there. I whisper your name because I know You care…

You know I am troubled with many things and that I have been weak, sometimes unkind. But Your Spirit is with me right here, in my home, and I know, at moments I like this, I never am walking alone! Amen.” -- A Lenten prayer from Fr. Jerry Orbos,SVD.

Tourism is a sunrise industry for the Philippines in these economically troubled times, and everyone are stakeholders.

How many times have we heard this from tourism leaders? Often enough, I am afraid, but now we hear this from the private sector travel agency folks and they are ‘walking their talk!’

National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NITAS) Chairman Emeritus Bobby Lim Joseph and chair Angel Bagnot had good news to share last Tuesday at our forum at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza about their industry.

Listen to this: from March 26 to 28, Sofitel will house hundreds of local and foreign delegates to the 4th World Health Tourism Conference, a gathering presented by the Department of Tourism and our very own Cebu, in cooperation with the governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates.

With l,056 micro agency members,  NITAS is definitely a ‘partner association’ of the Phiippines.

The conference will have “buyers” (representatives of giant companies and insurance firms) that will be sizing up and  signing with several hospitals where they will be sending their medical clients.

The list of buyers include Saudi Aramco, Costa Esperanza (a Russian medical assistance company) Japan’s Medical Assistance firm, PR Surgery Ld. from the U K,, Surgery Planners from the United States and others. 

So far, the hospitals being earmarked by the buyers are the Makati Medical Center, the Medical City, the St. Luke’s Hospital, the Asian Hospital (which is already affiliated with a popular medical chain in Thailand), Capitol Medical Center., and a facility in Cebu.

The conference will “full recognition to the country as a medical destination," and we should see, at its end, signed contracts between the buyers and the hospitals, assured Bobby. He added that the local government of Cebu was aggressive in its drive to upgrade its medical facilities  and this is paying off now.
Angel clarified that medical tourism is not an “organ transplant-"  related. Some of the services offered include executive check-ups, surgical procedures such as needed by the patients, dental works, etc.

Why come to the country for medical needs, the two NITAS officials were asked.

“We have the professional expertise, modern hospitals that continue to upgrade their facilities, compassionate medical staff and it will cost the clients of medical insurers and company officers and personnel cheaper to send them here! So the accreditation of medical centers here is crucial in the conference,” Bobby stressed.
Angel said that in terms of wellness and beauty tourism potentials, the country is already in the map, ranking high on the list of the  best places to go . Imagine the traditional way of  “hilot” as the latest massage buzz word!

And what is the role of travel agents now that airlines are booking passengers on-line and offering competitive rates?

Bobby, pointed out that they have re-invented ourselves as a traveler’s personal 'concierge.' After your medical check-up or procedures, and you want to play golf, go shopping, or eat out in a unique resto? We are here! We have re-packaged our tours, both for local and foreign tourists, to offer more creative services for their enjoyment. And the good news is that many more Filipinos, even students, are visiting local destination spots in especially packaged tours!"

The industry could do with more and better infrastructure to maintain tourism momentum and Bobby and Angel happily note that national government seems to be responding. Angel said that President Gloria should be commended for her tourism policies and goals. Incidentally, she will grace the medical tourism conference.

Bobby also noted that the “onerous” provisions of the Tourism Bill which they had objected to have been taken out and the NITAS is now in full support of this important piece of legislation.

In the meantime, check out the conference. And while you are at it, Bobby’s Wine Museum at Tramo St., Pasay City conducts a seminar on wines with a seven- course dinner just for under P2,000!

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It would have been  Hubby’s 70th birthday last Friday. Celebrating getting old together was not meant to be...my readers will understand my feelings as we heard mass for him at the  De la Strada church in Katipunan and visited him in the garden sanctuary there. But time does ease pain,  softens loneliness and makes precious moments dearer.