Philippines to Attract Foreign "Silver Market"

RP as a retirement haven to be featured in IMWell Summit
The world is aging. For the first time in history, the old will outnumber the young. But 'Global Aging' will not only come with challenges-for some countries, it will come with big economic opportunities. The Philippines could become a major player for medical travel and retirement with the emergence of this global demographic trend.

In light of this scenario, the Philippines will be hosting the International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement (IMWell Summit) on October 12-15, 2010 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. Staged in collaboration with Asian players that include India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, the IMWell Summit is envisioned to be a forum for different countries to hold multilateral dialogues and discuss how they can cooperate for the region to further develop the medical tourism and retirement industry. A major part of the IMWell Summit will also focus on international retirement migration and how Asian countries (and the foreign retirees) will be able to benefit from it.

"I believe that the Philippines could become one of the major destinations for the fast growing Silver Market. The country offers the combination of services in the sector of tourism, wellness, healthcare and medical services which are pillars for a comfortable retirement", said Henry Schumacher, Chairman of the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition and EVP of the European Chamber.

The Retirement and Healthcare Coalition (RHC), composed of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), American Chamber, Japanese Chamber, and Korean Chamber, promotes the Philippines as a second home and as a retirement destination.

In 2008, RHC presented five destinations that are most suitable for retirement: Manila, Cebu, Clark/Subic, Dumaguete, and Tagaytay. The selection of these locations was based mainly on easy access to amenities such as high-quality medical centers, health and wellness facilities, leisure and sports facilities, commercial establishments, good infrastructure and housing units at competitive rates.

"The Philippines has a lot to offer for foreign retirees. Here they can enjoy a more pleasant climate, upgrade their lifestyle with lower investment and daily cost. With 7,107 islands the Philippines is not only a beach destination, but it has a lot more to offer. Recreation, golf, diving, wellness, spa and shopping are just a few of the things a retiree can enjoy here", says Marc Daubenbuechel, Project Manager of RHC.

Manila alone has a lot to offer for a retiree, with a wide range of shopping malls around the Central Business District, outdoor activities such as golf and polo, and parks or a walk along Manila bay where one can enjoy Manila's sunset. Like Manila, Cebu, another choice retirement destination, offers a large collection of shopping malls, restaurants, entertainment centers. And if the city is getting too much, there are the white sandy beaches and some of the world's best dive sites within reach.

Alternatively, Clark/Subic, Dumaguete and Tagaytay offer a different kind of retirement destination. From Dumaguete's spectacular coral reefs and marine wildlife, to Tagaytay's panoramic view of Taal Volcano with a much cooler climate and Subic's beaches and jungle safaris, the choices for the retirees are endless. Retirees can relax and enjoy their golden years in the Philippines.

"With IMWell Summit this October, concentrating on healthcare and wellness market, these new opportunities will be explored and developed.

"With the materialization of the world, and the constantly increasing lifespan, it has become apparent that the silver market generation is bound to feel lonely and uncared for in their home countries. Philippines which is known for its compassionate care and excellent healthcare facilities, besides getting the full support of the government, undoubtedly has a great potential to become a preferred retirement destination. The IMWell Summit will discuss the way forward for the Philippines to achieve this goal," said Dr. Sanjiv Malik, Honorary Chairman of the IMWell Summit.

The IMWell Summit is produced and organized by HIM Communications, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism as Host, and supported by the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Spa Association of the Philippines. The retirement track is organized by the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition.

For more information about the event, please visit www.IMWellSummit.com, call (63 2) 910.8030 or 468.9999, email info@himcommunications.com for HIM Communications, or call (63 2) 845.1324, or email info@longstayphilippines.com for the Retirement and Healthcare Coalition.

Honors Integrated Marketing (HIM) Communications Inc. is a full-service marketing communications firm that provides a complete suite of integrated marketing solutions for a wide range of high-profile clients.