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 !