Alternative medicines eyed to expand medtourism offers

Apart from the conventional medical services that Cebu or the whole Central Visayas is banking on to attract medical tourists, industry players are also looking into including other options such as alternative medicines, wellness and mystical attractions.

This is as Cebu medical tourism advocate Clarissa Jane Pe said she noted a number of medical tourists visiting the Philippines who were looking for alternative options of healing.

The mystical island of Siquijor for instance is now gaining popularity among medical tourists. This province in Central Visayas continues to intrigue foreigners for its beyond scientific and scenic allure.

Pe, who is also vice chairperson of dental sector in the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC), said that promoting Cebu as a legitimate medical tourism destination entails holistic availability of wellness products and services, including spiritual healing options, and other practices that are beyond science.

Cebu, she said is already at par with its foreign counterparts in terms of hospital services and standards, however, what would make Cebu or the Philippines in general, more attractive to tourists offering expanded wellness options in a countryside setting.

The proliferation of yoga studios, acupuncture clinics, healing massage outlets, detox centers, availability of shamans in remote communities are jewels in its bid to become a preferred medical tourism center in Asia.

She said the market for medical tourism now has evolved from merely seeking for traditional medical attention, these wealthy foreigners are also looking more than just these services, but a number of them also want to explore the mystical side of adventure in exotic destinations like Siquijor.

Used to be known as Island of Fire or Isla del Fuego, Siquijor is enveloped by mystic traditions, which the growing tourism industry is capitalizing on.

The mystical island of Siquijor is known to have magic potions, shamans, witches and sorcerers and for many Filipinos it is never safe to wander at night. But these kinds of attractions, on the other hand attract a rising number of foreign travelers, not only the medical tourists, Pe said.

"There are things that are unique to the Philippines that invite these medical tourists to come. Our laid back countryside lifestyle is one," Pe added.

Add to that the right promotional programs from the government, and the anticipated influx of more international direct flights from Cebu, once the Mactan International airport Terminal 2 will be operational. —