MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is strengthening its efforts to promote healthcare and wellness tourism as a driver of investment, job creation, and regional tourism development, while supporting the growth of the Philippines as a competitive health and wellness destination.
Speaking at the 15th Arangkada Philippines Forum on Friday (October 9), Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay called on business leaders, investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to invest in the country’s growing health tourism ecosystem.
Courtesy of Department of Tourism (DOT)
“We want to develop a stronger health and wellness sector that attracts investment, creates jobs, expands regional capacity, and improves services for Filipinos,” Secretary Angara-Mathay said.
The Tourism Chief emphasized that advancing medical and wellness tourism requires an integrated ecosystem connecting healthcare, hospitality, infrastructure, and technology to ensure quality, accessibility, and a seamless patient experience.
“We invite investors to look at the full range of opportunities: healthcare facilities, diagnostics, digital health, rehabilitation, wellness, hospitality, and long-stay communities. The greatest potential lies in connecting these services so that patients can receive care and support throughout their journey,” she added.
According to data from DOT, as of September this year, its accreditation network includes 13 hospitals, 21 ambulatory clinics, 10 dental clinics, and 63 spas.
The country also has six hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), laying a strong foundation to expand the Philippines’ presence in the global health tourism market, DOT added.
While the DOT does not directly provide medical care, Secretary Angara-Mathay underscored that the Department works closely with industry stakeholders to bridge gaps in tourism infrastructure and healthcare support services, particularly through public-private partnerships.
“Consider the possibilities: a patient receives specialized treatment at a major medical center, continues rehabilitation nearby, stays in quality accommodation with family, and has access to appropriate nutrition, wellness, and recreation. Such a model creates opportunities across hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, wellness centers, hotels, serviced residences, diagnostics, restaurants, transportation, and digital health providers,” the Tourism Chief stated.
The Tourism Department quoted data from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), showing the Philippines’ wellness economy reached $47.3 billion in 2024, ranking 23rd worldwide and 8th in the Asia-Pacific region.
To further capture a larger share of this market, the DOT, according to Secretary Angara-Mathay, is also advancing investment across traditional “hilot” or Filipino healing and therapeutic massage and products using locally sourced ingredients, physical therapy, rehabilitation, preventive health, longevity, fertility and reproductive health, dental and eye care, and other specialized services.
In partnership with private-sector stakeholders, the DOT launched the Medical Concierge and Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. This facility provides arriving medical tourists with assistance and information on health and wellness services and connects them with DOT-accredited wellness and tourism experiences.
