Health & Wellness Confex 2024 Highlights Gov’t, Private Sector Collaboration

The Health & Wellness Confex 2024 recently concluded at the SMX Center in Pasay City, on a high note, with government and private sector representatives pledging to work together to promote the Philippines as a prime health and wellness tourist destination. 

The event, a three-day gathering of health and tourism industry stakeholders that began on Friday, Jan. 26, was kicked off by such luminaries as Department of Health (DOH) secretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr., Department of Tourism (DOT) undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, and Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano.

In his keynote address, Herbosa said supporting wellness tourism is now a priority for the DOH. This was confirmed by Dr. Maria Francia Miciano-Laxamana, DOH undersecretary for medical tourism, who pointed out in her presentation that ensuring the safety and health of tourists is a major department objective. 

Wellness Expo Offering Visitors to 'Go & Get Better' for Free

An exhibit showcasing the health and wellness tourism products and services that are available in the market today – including beauty and anti-aging offerings from the country’s leading dermatology clinics and boutiques – is one of the main attractions of the Health & Wellness CONFEX 2024 that will be held on January 26-28, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. 

Co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation. The three-day event will allow visitors to experience a number of health and wellness services of the exhibitors for free. For instance, the DOT booth will have trained hilot who can apply this age-old Filipino healing technique on visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.