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.