A growing number of tourists are seeking more than just a fun holiday. Many are now looking for meaningful experiences that enhance well-being and improve quality of life.
What they seek is nothing new and it is called health and wellness. History relates that since the Middle Ages, people had allotted time to visit places known for healing practices.
Today, that is known as health and wellness tourism. That kind of tourism provides unique experiences that focus on caring for physical, mental, and spiritual health –with traditional practices and products, and enhanced by nature in a serene environment by the sea, or in the forest.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is preparing to position the Philippines as a health and wellness tourism hub offering the services which are quite popular to the locals. Among these are the combination of traditional healing practices (like the hilot massage) with modern therapies, and wellness weekends that integrate nutrition, relaxation, and meditation exercises. Well-designed facilities like spas in wellness centers or in luxury hotels and resorts have gathered quite a following of regular customers.
The new tourism experience will expand the country’s attraction beyond its renowned beaches and mountains, and will build on its health and wellness services. It’s a timely move by the DOT because it reveals the many types of health and wellness services available here at affordable prices.
Early this week, local businesses offering products and services designed to promote relaxation through taste, scent, and touch were featured at the International Health and Wellness Tourism Congress (IHWTC) in Taguig City. Delegates from 38 countries attended the tourism congress to explore the potential of medical and wellness tourism in the Philippines.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the distinctive Filipino brand of wellness, which incorporates traditional healing practices, organic products, and holistic treatments, presenting a unique wellness experience. The primary offerings include preventive care, cosmetic procedures, dental services, ophthalmology, orthopedics, spas, and nature retreats.
An expanded accreditation program will start the comprehensive approach in making the Philippines a leading health and wellness tourism destination. This will ensure that hospitals, wellness centers, dental clinics, and other medical facilities meet international quality standards.
Reports show that the country also attracts tourists with its affordable yet high-quality services. The Medical Tourism Index reported that medical procedures in the country are 40 to 80 percent cheaper compared to Western countries.
Working well for the Philippines to become a health and wellness hub is its “unique combination of highly skilled healthcare professionals, competitive pricing and natural beauty,” a delegate in the tourism congress said. Add to that our hospitality, a feature that adds to the tourism attraction of the Philippines.
The development of this kind of tourism needs government support. Infrastructure, like good roads and efficient airports, are needed to support the DOT plan.
There are many ways for the private sector to enhance health and wellness tourism, starting with investments in facilities and services. Training and upgrading skills of workers, establishing high standards in cleanliness and efficiency, developing wellness packages that blend our natural landscape with traditional and modern therapies, and yes, creating products for tourists to bring home and continue the unique experience in their home countries – all these are business opportunities that can grow with the new tourism package.
There is so much all of us can do to help make the Philippines a health and wellness hub.