Health & wellness group boosts links with Pinoy groups abroad

CEBU, Philippines – To promote Cebu's world-class health and wellness services, the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC) is now forging connections with Filipino organizations in the world.

After its successful trade mission in Toronto, Canada, CHWC aims to strengthen its network with other Pinoy groups in the United States, Europe, and in some parts of the Northern American countries.

"We have a good potential to initially tap the OFW markets for our health, wellness and beauty services. Ultimately, we can also start a strong interest from the non-Filipino markets overseas," said CHWC director Patria Aurora Roa in an interview yesterday.

In its recent visit to Canada, the CHWC members have been able to link with several major Pinoy organizations in Canada, such as the Filipino-led Dental Organization and Medical Association in Toronto.

"We made a series of presentations for different groups promoting Cebu as the Top Island Destination, not only for its outstanding and not-so-expensive beauty and wellness services, but also for its charm as the number one tourism destination in the Philippines," said Roa.

With the help of some international funding agencies, such as CBI Netherlands, and German Technical Development (GTZ), CHWC was able to promote its total packaging for the health and wellness promotion to the international market.

CHWC is a private sector-led coalition of industry stakeholders that promotes the health and wellness tourism in Cebu.

The group is represented by champions from different sub-sectors in the broad health and wellness industry, such as; hospital/medical services, dental services, Day Spas, Resort Spas, hospitality, and travel and tours.

Roa said that with the help of CBI Netherlands and the GTZ, the industry was able to formulate a blueprint to be used as major marketing collateral in promoting the promising health and wellness services in Cebu.

At present though, Roa said the CHWC is still identifying many Filipino organizations based abroad to link with them. This way, it is easier for Cebu to finally take off in its promotion to become the premier health and wellness destination that may overtake Thai-land, India and other countries in Asia in the near future.

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.

The health and wellness package, which is considered as a major attraction for the medical tourism sector, has identified vanity and dental services as top services availed by the balikbayans, as well as growing foreigners visiting Cebu.

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.

Aside from vanity and dental services, medical tourists, including balikbayans are also availing of other medical services such as cardiac surgery, executive check up, MRI, CT Scan. (FREEMAN)