DoT chief presses wellness tourism
TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has emphasized the importance of «wellness tourism» amid the wide range of travel and leisure products the Philippines can offer its visitors.
Frasco brought up the topic while presiding over the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines (WeTAP) general assembly and oath-taking ceremony at the Department of Tourism (DoT) Central Office in Makati City on Tuesday.
Wellness tourism is defined as travel for health and well-being.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco«We acknowledge the significant strides that the Philippines has made in wellness tourism, as well as to take stock of everything else that needs to be done and the work that needs to be put in in order to ensure that wellness tourism truly thrives and reaches its full potential,» Frasco said.
Some key points raised during the discussions included the need for more intensive research into wellness tourism, particularly the professionalization of tourism health practitioners; clearer product communication and branding; empowering grassroots practitioners through engagement in education and training; and improving spa management through the development of professional modules on the practice.
In addition, Frasco noted the importance of collaboration and engagement with relevant government agencies such as the Department of Health, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government in facilitating a more standardized policy for tourism health professionals.
Advertisement«For us, it's good to talk about what we want to do, but importantly, apply a sense of urgency in instituting the necessary interventions in the industry,» she said.
WeTAP is composed of experienced private-sector wellness tourism stakeholders from across the country who are dedicated to establishing the Philippines as a premier international wellness tourism destination known for nurturing, highly skilled wellness professionals, rendering a uniquely Filipino service that allows visitors to have memorable wellness experiences.
