Why Has The Philippines Seen A Rise In Medical Tourism?

The Philippines is emerging as a key destination for medical tourism, offering a unique blend of quality healthcare, affordability, and hospitality. Despite the revenues generated in 2023, the country ranked last among Southeast Asian nations in the sector. Thailand is the top destination. The Philippines has world-class hospitals and facilities, skilled doctors and nurses, and a Filipino brand of hospitality, making it an attractive destination for medical travelers.

The Medical Tourism Bureau was created in 2006 by the Philippine Congress, prompting the nation to start promoting health tourism. The Philippines is becoming a popular destination for medical tourism due to the cost-effectiveness of medical procedures and treatments compared to other developed countries. The Philippines offers affordable medical care up to 60-80 cheaper than the US, Canada, and the UK, attracting medical tourists.

Medical tourism in the Philippines cares for approximately 80,000 to 250,000 patients or clients annually, with 62 hospitals now internationally accredited. The country’s natural beauty and the presence of international accreditations contribute to its popularity. The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently joined forces with Dubai-based Agora Group, a global leader in the medical and wellness industry.

The Philippines is positioning itself as an emerging medical and wellness tourism destination in Asia, with medical treatment rates known to be more than 50 lower than costs in the United States and Europe. Filipino medical staffs are highly skilled and courteous, and the country’s medical facilities are located in a glorious location at a fraction of the cost.

What is the biggest problem in tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippine tourism industry is confronted with significant challenges pertaining to sustainability, inclusivity, and management, particularly with regard to the implementation of the mandatory accreditation system for primary tourism enterprises (PTEs). This hinders the industry’s capacity for development and growth.

Why is tourism becoming more popular?

Tourism has significantly grown over the past century due to various factors. Advances in travel technology have made it possible to travel using various methods, such as cars, boats, and airplanes. Motorways have connected places, and budget airlines like Easyjet and Ryanair have reduced prices and increased traffic. Holiday entitlement in rich nations has also increased, allowing people to take more holidays throughout the year. People now have more disposable income, which is partly due to salary rises and the price of essential goods.

Many families now have two income earners, fewer kids, and often own a car, increasing the likelihood of people becoming tourists. The availability and type of holiday have also increased, with mass tourism and package holidays opening up markets to a large number of people. Extreme and ecological tourism are also becoming popular. The media’s extensive coverage of holiday types has increased the demand to travel, with newspapers and TV shows promoting extreme and mass tourism. Gap years have also been pushed by the media, further promoting tourism.

What are the benefits of tourism in the Philippines?

Tourism in the Philippines has a substantial impact on the economy, generating income, employment opportunities, and economic growth. There has been a notable increase in tourism revenues over time, indicating a consistent contribution to the economy.

What is medical tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippines is renowned for cosmetic surgery, dental procedures, ophthalmology, cardiology, and orthopedics, with procedures like rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, dental implants, and Lasik eye surgery being popular. The country has also started to specialize in certain treatments, such as stem cell therapy and robotic surgery, investing in technology and expertise. Manila and Cebu are home to renowned hospitals and medical institutions like St. Luke’s Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, and Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital.

What are the key factors that make the Philippines an attractive destination for medical tourism?

Medical tourism in the Philippines offers significant opportunities for the economy and healthcare industry due to its cost-effective services, specialized treatments, and well-trained healthcare professionals. However, sustainable growth requires addressing infrastructure gaps, safety concerns, and regulatory issues. With continued investments in healthcare infrastructure, safety measures, and regulatory improvements, the Philippines could become a leading destination for medical tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

Doctor Jobs Today is a job-seeking platform in Southeast Asia that connects employers and medical job seekers, catering to medical doctors’ vacancy inquiries better than traditional job portals. With Docquity, job options are relevant and sourced from prestigious healthcare institutions in the country, ensuring that medical professionals find suitable opportunities. By investing in healthcare infrastructure, safety measures, and regulatory improvements, the Philippines can become a leading destination for medical tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

What are the challenges of medical tourism in the Philippines?

Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) chairman Oscar Tuason explains that the Philippines struggles to compete with Thailand and Singapore due to high hotel rates, limited direct access, and lack of infrastructure. The industry is branding the Philippines as a competitive alternative medical destination in Asia, but competitors like Singapore and Thailand offer lower rates for medical tourists. Medical tourists are not the priority markets of the local hotel industry, and Cebu has no direct access to Europe and the United States.

CHWC, a private sector-led association, aims to develop and encourage health and wellness and medical tourism to Cebu, including three hospitals, two clinics, and two spas. The major partner hospitals are Cebu Doctors University Hospital, Chong Hua Hospital, and Perpetual Succour Hospital. CHWC is using social media to promote local medical tourism.

What is the biggest motivation behind medical tourism?

Medical travel has gained popularity due to factors such as high healthcare costs, long wait times, international travel’s ease and affordability, and advancements in technology and care standards. The UK’s medical tourism is driven by the avoidance of waiting times, while the US primarily benefits from cheaper prices abroad. Death rates in developed countries vary significantly. Many surgical procedures in medical tourism destinations are cheaper, with procedures costing less in these countries.

Convenience and speed are also significant drawbacks. In Canada, an estimated 782, 936 patients spent an average waiting time of 9. 4 weeks on medical waiting lists in 2005. In developed countries like the US, medical tourism has significant growth prospects, with a forecast predicting a ten-fold increase in medical tourism originating in the US over the next decade. In 2007, an estimated 750, 000 Americans went abroad for healthcare, and 1. 5 million would seek care outside the US in 2008. This growth could potentially result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for US healthcare providers.

Why is tourism still has a bright future in the Philippines?

The Philippines tourism industry is experiencing growth due to factors such as the country’s peaceful atmosphere, delicious food, and social media. In June 2023, the country introduced its new tourism campaign, “Love the Philippines”, which focuses on real experiences after the pandemic. Travel influencers and tourism companies are promoting beautiful places and services on social media platforms, with a potential 2. 8X surge in tourism sales by 2034. This growth is expected to further boost the country’s economy and attract more tourists to the country.

What is the most common reason for medical tourism?

Medical tourism refers to international travel for the purpose of receiving medical care, often due to the cost-effectiveness and convenience of procedures performed in other countries. Some patients travel to specific destinations for procedures not available in their home country, such as stem-cell transplants and gender-reassignment operations. Throughout history, people have traveled long distances for health care, with ancient Greece attracting wealthy people through incubation rituals.

Spas and public baths have also been popular destinations for those seeking medical cures. The emergence of spa towns in the 17th century attracted wealthy people from Europe, and later, spas and health resorts in countries worldwide attracted clients from overseas.

The practice of traveling internationally for surgery is relatively recent, with Costa Rica experiencing an influx of foreigners seeking cosmetic and dental surgery in the 1980s. By the 1990s, Costa Rica actively worked to attract foreign patients, offering various types of plastic surgery at low cost. By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, an estimated 20, 000-25, 000 medical tourists visited Costa Rica, paralleling the worldwide boom in medical tourism in the early 21st century.

Which country has the best medical tourism in the world?

In the 2020-2021 global medical tourism ranking, Canada was the highest-ranking country, with an index score of 76. The 47th position was occupied by… This ranking is based on a comprehensive assessment of the destination environment, the medical tourism industry, and the quality of facilities and services. The ranking presents the top 20 countries worldwide in 2020. To obtain the full range of premium statistics, a paid Statista account is required.

Why is Philippines famous for tourism?

The Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago nation, is renowned for its beautiful islands, rolling green mountains, exotic beaches, volcanoes, world-class diving spots, and unique wildlife. With a coastline twice the length of the United States, the Philippines is considered the Asia’s Beach capital. The country boasts warm crystal blue waters from both the China Sea and Pacific Ocean, long white sand beaches, an abundance of marine life, and exotic sea flora and fauna. Some of the world’s finest beaches include the famous White Beach on Boracay Island, Cebu, and the islands of Panglao, Balicasag, and Pamilacan in Bohol.

The Philippines’ heritage is also evident in the construction of Inamuros, a “Walled City” in 1571, a “city within a city” replicated in different parts of the archipelago. This “city within a city” is located in the heart of Manila, complete with centuries-old walls, dungeons, churches, bulwarks, and plazas. The Philippines is a wonderful travel destination that never fails to mesmerize its visitors.