CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines is encouraged to strengthen its medical tourism programs to attract the growing number of medical tourists, specifically those from the United Kingdom.
British Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau Asif Anwar Ahmad said that in a country where medical professionals are the world's sought-after, medical tourism potential should be used as leverage.
Retirees, who are considering to acquire second home properties in tropical countries like the Philippines, start to travel as medical tourists, he said.
Like other foreign dignitaries, Ahmad expressed his confidence that Cebu has stronger advantage as a preferred medical tourism destination because of its strategic location and diverse tourism option.
Earlier, Philippine Retirement Authority general manager Veredigno Atienza said that the government will aggressively promote the country as a destination for the world’s retirees.
Atienza said that the agency must do more roadshows and conferences which are aimed at distinct focused audiences.
PRA is now focusing on the country’s leading source countries such as China, South Korea, and Japan.
Atienza said PRA is leveraging developments in age-friendliness, tourism, healthcare and Department of Tourism’s ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ campaign to boost the Philippine position further in the international retirement rankings.
He said the Philippines needs to compete with global competitors which are offering more aggressive retirement programs.
Because of this, PRA is expected to launch more product innovations designed to lure more retirees to the country.
He said the Philippines hopes to attract one to 10 million foreign retirees in the next six years.
Cebu on the other hand, is starting to attract medical tourists availing of the light medical services like dental, cosmetics, and other similar services, said Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) vice chairperson Jenny Franco.
Franco said Cebu’s positioning is working on its advantage, while its capability to offer hard-core medical services such as Kidney transplant, among others can be done in Manila.
On the other hand, Franco said that Cebu is now is the top choice destination for light procedures in medical services, like executive check up, cosmetic treatment and surgery, dental, combined with leisure and wellness activities.
Based on recent study released by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the Philippines has market niches in elective surgery, stem cell therapy, aesthetic and cosmetic/plastic surgery, dental care and wellness treatment, among others.
"The lack of sustained Philippine marketing campaign abroad has been pointed as a major shortcoming of medical tourism in the country,” the PIDS study underscored. – (FREEMAN)
