Home - CMC Update


4th WORLD HEALTH TOURISM CONGRESS 2009

The health tourism (also known as medical and well being tourism) industry covers a huge market for it includes anything from medical to surgical to alternative healing and dental procedures to sports and hospitality aspects. Cosmetic surgical procedures are just a small part of it.

The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) aggressive campaign to place the Philippines as a top global health and wellness destination has finally paid off for the country hosted the World Health Tourism Congress (WHTC) last March 26 to 28, 2009 at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila.

This event is held every year and this was the first time that an Asian country hosted the prestigious event. The first was in Germany (2006), second in Cyprus (2007) and third in Spain (2008) were the past host countries of WHTC.
Dubbed as the “Heart of Asia,” the Philippines has a wealth of healthcare options not only when it comes to competitive medical practitioners but also as far as spa, alternative and complementary healthcare are concerned. Aside from the Philippines, the strong players in the Asian region are Thailand and Singapore. While Thailand focuses more on cosmetic surgical procedures, the Philippines has been the destination for cardiovascular, hip and knee surgery and diabetes treatments for the past years.

DOT Undersecretary for Sports and Wellness Tourism Cynthia Carrion emphasizes the country’s edge over its Asian neighbors when it comes to medical tourism, “Our people can beat Thailand. We have everything here especially alternative healing.” She added that the Philippines also has advantage over Thailand when it comes to language, with English being widely spoken in cities and most establishments around the country. Usec. Carrion further said that DOT is preparing affordable accommodations to support the health tourism industry.



Photo shows Dr. Thelma N. Clemente,MHA, President (seated 3rd from left) and Ms. Carmina C. Desales,MHA,FPCHA, Vice-President (standing 8th from left) together with the members of the Management Committee and Department Heads, welcomed and entertained the WHTC foreign delegates/ buyers who visited the hospital.

The Philippine Health and Wellness tourism providers pose with Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano (4th from left) and Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion (5th from left) during the 4th World Health Tourism
Congress 2009, held at the Sofitel Hotel last April 26 to 28, 2009. Photo shows (1st row, from left) Ms. Joyce Alumno, Mr. Samie Lim, Mr. Ruy Moreno, Dr. Sam Bernal, DOH Asst. Sec. Elmer Punzalan, Dr. Dante Dator, Ms. Alma Jimenez, Dr. Anthony Calibo; (2nd row) Ms. Cynthia Lazo, Ms. Evelyn Yumul, Ms. Carmina C. Desales, Dr. Andre Villanueva and Ms. Lara Santos