Iloilo city: The local government here on Monday gathered stakeholders from the healthcare, tourism, government, and private sectors to explore the potential of health and wellness tourism as another strategic driver for Iloilo City.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the first Health and Wellness Tourism Conference, Mayor Raisa Tre±as emphasized that tourism grows faster when there are quality health services available, as people choose to travel to places where they feel comfortable and well taken care of. She highlighted Iloilo City's progress in this area, noting the presence of new healthcare institutions and the expansion of well-known healthcare providers.

Mayor Tre±as also pointed out that advanced medical technologies, previously found only in larger cities, are now available in Iloilo City. She mentioned that the city had been adopting new medical technologies for years, indicating a long-standing preparation for its role in health and wellness tourism.

She called on the officials of the Iloilo City Health and Wellness Tourism Council and its Technical Working Group to aid in implementing programs focused on medical and wellness tourism.

Executive Assistant for Medical Tourism, Dr. Candice Tupas, expressed their goal to attract 30 percent of tourists seeking health and wellness services by 2030. She noted that Iloilo City is already a preferred destination for patients from across Panay and returning Filipinos due to its quality services and facilities.

Dr. Tupas explained that medical tourism involves traveling to another country for medical care, offering cost-effective options and higher quality treatments. Wellness tourism, on the other hand, is proactive, focusing on improving and maintaining health through activities such as yoga retreats, spa visits, and holistic health experiences.