CEBU, Philippines - Although Cebu has yet to position itself as the premier “retirement” destination to attract the multi-million-dollar retiree market all over the world, the proposed establishment of a retirement facility could jumpstart Cebu’s potential in this market.
Department of Trade and Industry Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) director Nelia F. Navarro lauded the decision of businessman and exporter Justin Uy to develop a 10-hectare Retirement Village in Consolacion that will be completed in the next five years.
According to Navarro despite the good environment for Cebu to catch the increasing number of international retirees looking for retirement homes in the tropical countries like the Philippines, there are still a lot of concerns that need to be worked out in order for Cebu to take off as the premier retirement destination.
For one, she said it’s not effective to market Cebu as one, because of the lack of right facilities to accommodate the interested market. Besides, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) also still has to review its policies in attracting this market, as well as encouraging the investors.
Thus, Cebu at present is capitalizing on positioning Cebu as “Light Medical Tourism Destination”, instead of promoting the province as a “retirement destination.”
Navarro said she will personally talk with Uy on this retirement village facility plan, and may also provide inputs on how it will be designed and done, based on her inspection in different facilities in the United States, and other countries.
For the meantime, while the plan is still raw, Cebu will have to maximize its strength in the huge medical tourism market, which is to focus on providing services for the active retirees, who may not necessarily live in Cebu yet, but experience the place for vacation, leisure and some of their medical needs.
In a separate interview with Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) vice chairperson Jenny Franco, she said that while Cebu is gaining popularity from overseas market in terms of light medical services such as dental, cosmetics, including wellness and leisure, it its marketing is focused on this proposition.
At present, Cebu has to work on this advantage, while its capability to offer hard-core medical services such as Kidney transplant, among others can be done in Manila, Franco said.
Cebu now is the top pick destination for light procedures in medical services, like executive check up, cosmetic treatment and surgery, dental, combined with leisure and wellness activities.
This is what Cebu is banking on, in order to maximize its inviting environment for medical tourists, Franco said.
CHWC is going to go full-blast in its campaign to promote Cebu as “Light Medical Tourism Destination.”
Stakeholders, through the CHWC is now formulating a unified packages for medical tourists who seek minor medical services, at the same time wanting to enjoy and have “fun” while on medical vacation in Cebu.
“We already have packages as an association, but we are enhancing it and add more activities,” said Franco adding that a website will also be set up to offer these packages online.
Aside from the huge “balikbayan” market, Cebu is gaining popularity to medical tourism market from Singapore, Bahrain, Australia, United States, and Europe. (FREEMAN)