RP can learn some tips on tourism dev’t from Spain

The Philippines will try to learn from Spain how to develop the country’s tourism industry, Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, said yesterday.

Purisima was the guest of honor at the opening yesterday of the First Spanish Products and Services Expo at the SM Megatrade Hall.

In his speech, Purisima noted that Spain is one of the leading countries in terms of tourism from which the Philippines could learn from to develop itself as a prime tourist destination.

"For me this is one area where more knowledge between our two business communities will probably facilitate the development of tourist trade between our two countries, and will now be transferred from Spain to our tourist industry in the Philippines," Purisima said.

However, Purisima said, the Philippines wants to concentrate on building up "medical tourism."

Specifically, Purisima had earlier said, the country is aiming to become a prime health-tourism destination for Europeans.

Purisima had broached the matter recently to European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy.

Purisima asked Lamy about the possibility of accrediting Philippine hospitals under the European healthcare system.

EU member countries, Purisima pointed out, are experiencing a rise in the cost of healthcare with fewer young people contributing to the fund as against a rapidly aging population needing increased medical care.

To be able to deal with its problem, Purusima said, the solution is to lower the cost of healthcare.

The Philippines, Purisima pointed out, has plenty of doctors and nurses who, instead of leaving the country to find better-paying work abroad, can be harnessed by attracting and bringing to the country Europeans seeking medical care.

According to Purisima, the cost of a heart bypass in EU countries is about five times more than it would cost in the Philippines.

Even with the cost of the plane fare to the country included, the cost of medical care in the Philippines would still be lower than what it would cost in EU countries.