RP as preferred retirement haven likely

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippines has a huge potential to fully take off as one of the world’s preferred retirement havens if and when the government does take appropriate action such as setting up proper infrastructure and putting in place policies and standards to capture a significant share of this multi-million dollar industry.

European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP) executive vice president Henry Schumacher said integrated promotional programs are expected to be effective now that the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has been moved under the umbrella of the Department of Tourism (DOT) from the Department of Trade and Industry.

Schumacher believes that although the Philippines is a little behind in positioning itself as a retirement haven compared to other neighboring Asian countries such as Thailand, it still possess a lot of competitive advantages if and when the government will give it utmost attention.

Because of Philippines’ advantage on adventure tourism, and other leisure and nature-based attractions, the future for Philippines success as medical tourism hub is achievable, Schumacher said.

Schumacher however said that the Philippines could also learn from the experts in this sector like Singapore and Thailand, as the Philippines will come as an alternative destination especially if it were to leverage on positioning as “second home destination” rather than pure attracting medical tourists.

He added that he hopes that DOT chief Alberto Lim will re-enforce the promotion of long-stay tourism, second home destination, and provide retirees with adequate and proper retirement facilities that could make the Philippines a preferred retirement destination.

He hopes that the DOT will soon come up with integrated packages to attract more foreign retirees to come to the Philippines.

On the other hand, the Department of Health (DoH) head for special concerns Anthony Calibo said that the future of medical tourism in the Philippines will not depend on the volume of foreign clients, but its growth is largely dependent on the Filipinos working and residing abroad.

“Unlike other countries, the Philippines has its natural market. It is not relying on foreign patients, because the source of constant and sustainable growth for the industry is the OFWs, or the Filipinos residing and working abroad,” Calibo said.

Calibo said even if foreign visitors will opt not to seek medical help here, the medical tourism industry will still flourish as the country has a growing number of OFWs who prefer to get medical attention in their homeland.

If foreigners find it very expensive to avail of medical care in their own countries, how much more the Filipinos working abroad, “they are the first to come, and they are our ‘captured’ market for medical tourism.”

In Asia, medical tourism has raked US$120 billion in revenues for 2006, a big improvement from US$40 billion it earned in 2000. India is now the number one destination for medical tourists around the world.

A total package for one medical tourist, is pegged at US$28,000, depending on medical procedure, this already include accommodation, vacation package among others.

Every medical tourist can save at least US$77,000 for this amount, if they were to have their medical services done in other countries like Europe or United States.