OFFICE OF PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Department of Tourism
Definition :“Tourism associated with travel to health spas
or resort destinations where the primary purpose is to improve the traveler’s physical
well being through a regimen of physical exercise and therapy, dietary control, and
medical services relevant to health maintenance.”
-- WTO-
Health Tourism
To position the Philippines as a competitive health vacation destination in Asia
To broaden the marketability of the Philippines as a destination by way of diversifying its tourism products
To increase awareness on Philippine Medical Tourism in target markets through aggressive marketing and promotion programs
Objectives
Components
SPA TOURISM
MEDICALTOURISM
ISLANDS OF WELLNESS … PHILIPPINES
Concept
Health tourism in the Philippines will comprise a wide range of body pampering, health and beauty treatments
Integrates and promotes traditional Filipino healing modalities and use of local herbs, oils and essences.
Spa Categories
Day Spa (15)
Hotel Spa (8)
Destination Spa (4)
Club Spa (1)
Medical Spa (2)
Resort Spa (5)
Filipino Spa Experience
Traditional Filipino Touch Therapy
• Hilot - deep tissue therapeutic body massage
• Dagdagay - traditional foot massage from the Mt. Province
International Recognitions
2004 Spa Asia Crystal Awards • The Farm at San Benito - Best Retreat, Best Holistic Healing Program and Best New Age Activity
• Mandala Spa - Best Rejuvenation Program
2005 Spa Asia Crystal Awards • The Farm at San Benito - Spa of the Philippines, Best Holistic Healing Program and Best Wellness Center
2005 Asia Spa Baccarat Award • The Farm at San Benito - Medi Spa of the Year, Retreat of the Year
• Mandala Spa - Spa Treatment of the Year (Watsu), Destination Spa of the Year
• Spa Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SAPI) – Spa Association of the Year
Prospects for spa investment in the Philippines
Abundance of natural resources - thermal springs, organic and natural products, herbs, oils (Virgin Coconut Oil) and essences Human resource
Unique Filipino culture and tradition Competitive cost
Investible Areas
Spa Town/Thermal Spa Development
- Puerto Princesa, Palawan - Coron, Palawan - Murcia, Negros Occidental - Mambajao, Camiguin Island - Malabuyoc, Cebu - Ba-y, Laguna
Spa Resort Development
- Panglao Island, Bohol
Philippine Medical Tourism
Philippine Medical Tourism
Concept To offer cost-effective medical treatments while simultaneously showcasing tourist
attractions in the Philippines. Special itineraries shall be available for both domestic and international patients who are interested
to combine treatment with leisure
Advantages in Developing Medical Tourism
Competitive medical costs
Availability of state-of-the-art medical equipment
Filipino doctors are trained with western medical orientation
The Philippines is recognized as having highly skilled medical professionals
Filipino medical practitioners have a nurturing and caring attitude
Fluency in the English language
Advantages in Developing Medical Tourism
Hospital to Hospital - Local hospitals to forge partnership with foreign hospitals to send their surplus patients to the Philippines
Government to Government - Bilateral agreements focusing on medical health exchange
Marketing Strategies
Referral and/or Co-Management – Work closely with foreign medical referral companies and overseas doctors
Promoting the Philippines as a medical tourism destination to existing foreign tourism markets
Malaysia
Thailand
Singapore
India
Our Competitors
Overseas and Former Filipinos (North America, Canada)
Australian Market
Japanese
Koreans
Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain)
Island States in the Pacific (Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia )
Target Markets
DOT-Accredited Hospitals
St. Luke’s Hospital
Asian Hospital
The Medical City
Makati Medical Center
Capitol Medical Center
University of Sto. Tomas Hospital
St. Frances Cabrini Hospital
Surgery Medical Check-up
Room Rate
FaceliftCABG
Data not available
$10,000$55Data not available
India
$5,500$19,000Data not
available $200Singapore(East Shore & Mt.
Elizabeth)
$2,600$10,000$300$51Malaysia (Sunway Medical)
$2,700$7,500$290$49Thailand (Bumrungrad)
$1900 (Lowest)
$15,000 (3rd lowest)
$218 (2nd lowest)
$23 (Lowest)
Philippines
Comparative Health Care Costs
Medical Service
Thailand Singapore Malaysia
Medical Check-Up (Female)
$294.00 $357.00 $302.00
Double Eyelid $1,300.00 --- $530-$660.00
Cataract Surgery
$900.00 $1,011.00 $710-$1,300.00
Hip Replacement
__ $8,900.00 $3,900-$5,300.00
CABG $7,700.00 $9,500.00 $6,580-$9,200.00
Cost Comparison of Medical Services in Selected Countries
Sample of Medical Tour Packages A. BLEPHAROPLASTY
Inclusions: Doctor’s Professional Fees, other fees
during surgery and use of equipment and supplies during the procedure
Medical check-Up before and after the surgery
8 days/ 7 nights hotel accommodation Daily buffet breakfast Roundtrip transfers (hotel-airport-hotel;
hotel-hospital-hotel) Half day city tour Rejuvenating massage
OTHER MEDICAL TOUR PACKAGES
1. Breast Surgery 2. Liposuction3. Botox4. LASIK (Laser-assisted in Situ
Keratomileusis) 5. Dental Implant6. Dental Crowns
SPA TOURISM
• Reduced Import Tariff on Selected Spa Equipment
MEDICAL TOURISM
• Income Tax Holiday
• Reduced Tariff (1%) on Selected Medical Equipment
Incentives
Key Accomplishments
Organized the Spa Association of the Phils., Inc. (SAPI)Participated in 2003,2004 and 2005 BioSearch Fair-a Philippines Health and Wellness Show organized by CITEMParticipated in international travel fairs and spa events (ITB, Berlin, ISPA, Singapore, PATA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Moscow Leisure Fair, Russia, WTM, London)Published articles re Philippine spas in SPA Asia Magazine in cooperation with SAPI (Spa Asia Crystal Awards)Organized wellness familiarization tours for media groups from Europe, Asia Pacific, US
Key Accomplishments Won international recognition from reputable spa award giving bodies (Spa Asia Crystal Awards and Asia Spa Baccarat Award) Organized conduct of Licensure Exam for Massage Therapists in Cebu Organized training on “Hilot” and “Dagdagay” for massage therapists of DOT-accredited spasFormulated Rules and Regulations for the Accreditation of Spas and Tertiary Hospitals
On-Going Activities Marketing and promotional activities- Foreign media and trade familiarization tours- Philippine participation in international
expos/fairs- Production of collaterals
Continued campaign for accreditation and monitoring of DOT-accredited spa establishments and hospitals
Link-up with overseas medical institutions, Philippine Medical Institutions, tour wholesalers, insurance companies, etc.
On-Going Activities
Preparation for Philippines’ hosting of the Wellness Summit 2007 and 2008
Preparation of medical tourism brochures and collaterals
Preparation for the Spa Industry Seminar on September 2006, Shangri-La, Cebu
Preparation for the 1st World Health Tourism Congress in Europe in April 2006
The Philippines – Islands of Wellness …More than the Usual
Hot Tub !
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