THE Philippines must upgrade its infrastructure and overhaul the regulation of its wellness industry to capture a slice of the wellness-tourist market, analysts said, according to a report by BusinessWorld.
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) said the country lags behind regional peers in wellness tourism due to inadequate transportation, accommodation, and healthcare facilities, as well as fragmented regulations governing spas, traditional medicine, and wellness centers. PIDS recommended streamlining accreditation processes and investing in public-private partnerships to boost the sector.
Wellness tourism, which includes medical, spa, and holistic health travel, is a growing market globally. The Philippines has natural advantages such as hot springs and traditional healing practices, but without systemic improvements, it risks losing potential revenue to competitors like Thailand and Malaysia.