Cebu health and wellness sector reiterates call for government support

CEBU, Philippines – Although the health and wellness players in Cebu have seen good signs and encouraging prospects from the medical tourism market, the industry is currently facing some threats that should be immediately addressed by the government.

Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) president Oscar Tuason said that the absence of direct flights from Cebu to big western markets and problems with health insurance accreditation from other countries, among others are seen to derail the growth potential of Cebu's medical tourism.

However, the industry can well cope with these threats, if only the government will provide the industry with ample support most especially on infrastructure, such as encouraging local and foreign airlines to consider opening routes to western countries and Europe.

According to Tuason, the European travelers prefer to get a direct-flight, rather than being made to transfer from one airplane to another. This is very important especially for the aging medical tourism market, Tuason said.

Other Asian countries that are also selling health and medical services to the medical tourists worldwide, are being supported and helped by their respective governments in terms of funding, marketing, and infrastructure set up.

Cebu, or the Philippines' medical tourism product is closely competing with medical tourism pro-active countries like Thailand, India, Singapore and Taiwan, Tuason said.

CHWC has projected at least 520,000 health and wellness tourists to visit Cebu in the next few months. This doesn't include visitors that primarily come to Cebu for business and incorporated their travel to get medical and health services here, as well as the Filipino balikbayans who always avail of medical services once they get home.

According to Tuason although the industry's growth is slower in the last few years despite the efforts made by industry players to help the medical tourism industry to take off, he said "there is still a huge opportunity that needs to be grabbed."

On their own, CHWC members are currently partnering with the travel operators and hotel players to set up a good packaging product for medical tourists to enjoy a "stress-free" travel to Cebu.

Travel operators will promote good packages for health and wellness travel to different countries abroad, while the medical and health institutions, including hotel and resort operators will provide good rates and dedicated services for this kind of travelers.

In the last few years, the medical tourism industry players in Cebu, projected to position the province to become a world-class medical tourism destination by this year. However, the target experienced delay because of some concerns, Tuason said. (FREEMAN)