Push to promote alternative med

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2017/04/07/push-promote-alternative-med-535552
• Friday, April 7, 2017

By Katlene O. Cacho

ASIDE from modern medical services, there is also a growing interest in alternative medicine and wellness treatments among foreign medical tourists.

Clarissa Jane Pe, vice chair for the dental sector of Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC), said this is an area Cebu should also look into in terms of marketing and promotion, citing the rising number of yoga studios, acupuncture clinics, massage outlets and detox centers already in the province.

Pe said that promoting Cebu as a legitimate medical tourism destination entails holistic availability of wellness products and services, which includes spiritual healing options and other practices that are beyond science.

“All these ancient forms of healing also excite tourists,” said Pe.

She noted that when foreign medical tourists come to the Philippines, they would also want to try indigenous massages and other activities that would make them familiar with the destination’s culture aside from exploring tourism sites.

Cosmetic surgery, wellness treatments and dentistry are just some of the specialty care that the Philippines currently offers. However, Pe said the presence of alternative medicine and other indigenous wellness traditions are also plus factors that attract medical travelers to come to the country.

Mystical attractions, on the other hand, are also gaining popularity among medical tourists.

According to Pe, aside from the usual beach destinations, wealthy foreigners are also interested in exploring exotic destinations in the country like Siquijor, an island in Central Visayas that is commonly associated with mystic traditions.

Siquijor is known for its festivals that focus on healing rituals where incantations are sung while the old folks make potions out of herbs, roots, insects and tree bark.