14 Essential Features of a Health and Wellness Tourism Destination in the Philippines

The health and wellness tourism industry in the Philippines has grown well over the recent years. Many people are choosing to travel to enhance their personal health and well-being. In 2024, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that there are at least 250,000 tourists visiting health and wellness destinations in the country to heal and rejuvenate. 

Whether it is your prime agenda to engage in healthy activities or experience it as an added bonus to your travels, your destination must be holistic and sustainable. Here are the key features of wellness tourism destinations in the Philippines that you should know.

14 Characteristics of a Health and Wellness Tourism Destination in the Philippines

1. Safe and secure environment

Physical safety and security contribute to one’s overall health and wellness. People tend to become less stressed or anxious when their surroundings are physically free from external threats. Security presence must be installed within health and wellness destinations to bring ease of mind to guests.

2. Temporary break from daily life

Wellness tourists also seek peace away from the bustling city life. Health and wellness tourism destinations are usually located away from urban spaces, surrounded by tranquil mountains, forests, or sandy beaches.

The idea is to detach oneself from daily stressors commonly encountered in our technologically advanced society. Reconnecting with nature in a serene landscape not only encourages physical activity, but also introspection or personal development.

3. Clean and sanitized facilities

Practicing healthy habits extends to the physical environment. Facilities must be cleaned and maintained for tourists’ well-being, especially to prevent contamination and diseases. Activities such as spa massages and treatments must be done in well-sanitized areas with professionals practicing proper health measures before, during, and after services.

4. Presence and availability of wellness professionals

Activities and services within a health and wellness destination must be performed or supervised by professionals. These expert practitioners are there to guide guests through comprehensive wellness services. They must be trained for their tasks, as well as licensed by a local or international regulatory body.

5. Enhanced quality of life for locals and visitors

Health and wellness destinations not only promote the well-being of tourists, but also the local community. Destinations should ideally hire staff who are based locally. Wellness facilities offer different services, which means more career options for skilled professionals within neighboring communities.

This is also an opportunity to promote the industry’s philosophy among the community by creating engaging programs to involve locals in wellness efforts, such as outreach activities and workshops.

6. Natural features and landscapes

Green spaces and natural landscapes attract travelers who seek solace in nature. Assets such as mountains, forests, beaches, lakes, and other bodies of water are places where people can experience organic healing. This sort of exposure to the natural environment is part of ecotherapy, which is offered by most health and wellness destinations.

7. Sustainability policies and practices

Environmental sustainability should be a priority for wellness destinations. This is crucial to prevent destruction of the natural landscape, reduce waste, and promote conservation. An example of sustainable practice is on-site farming, which enables self-sufficient agriculture and sourcing renewable materials.

8. Accommodation selections

Sometimes, a single day is not enough to bask in the healing properties of nature. Health and wellness destinations typically offer rooms or bed and breakfast for tourists. Packages and promotions can include spa and wellness activities that guests can avail of to enrich their experience.

9. Fitness facilities and activities

Part of a holistic approach to health is targeting physical fitness. Health and wellness destinations offer a variety of voluntary activities tourists can participate in, whether as a group or individually. Yoga, meditation, traditional exercises, and circuit courses done in the great outdoors can improve health and increase one’s energy levels.

10. Farm-to-table dining restaurants

Another way that wellness destinations promote sustainability is through serving the freshest dishes made with organic ingredients. Delicious and healthy dishes are created with vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners in mind. Farm-to-table concept means that ingredients are locally sourced from the destinations’ own or community gardens, which is an efficient way to support the local economy.

11. Partnership with local manufacturers

Products that are locally manufactured build a sustainable brand identity for wellness destinations. This exhibits the closeness and familial relationship that a destination has for its local community and guests. Long-time partnership builds trust with manufacturers which empowers local businesses and cultivates a community within the industry.

12. Support from the local Destination Marketing Organization (DMO)

A committed local organization drives the development of health and wellness tourism in a community. This branch of the hospitality industry is vital to national and global promotion of tourism. They are in charge of education, marketing, and improvement of wellness destinations.

In the Philippines, the Department of Tourism recently highlighted the Filipino terms ‘malasakit’ (compassionate care) and ‘aruga’ (care and nurture) to define the Philippines’ wellness tourism. This shows a deep connection between traditional wellness and modern health practices within the country.

13. Cultural integration

Dedicated destinations often integrate cultural health and wellness practices in their services. Traditional massages are a common feature of these destinations and can vary depending on the region or country. Culture can also be exhibited through architecture or design, providing a rich, rooted experience for tourists.

14. Holistic practices

Health and wellness tourism destinations promote one’s holistic well-being through features that encapsulate a number of concepts: physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual wellness. Travel alone can shape a person through experiences alone, but unifying the above creates a certain wholeness that the ordinary tourist may miss out on.

Who should visit health and wellness tourism destinations?

• Wellness tourists: There are two types of wellness travelers: (1) primary travelers who go on wellness-motivated trips, and (2) secondary travelers who prioritize travel but seek wellness experiences along the way. No matter which of the two categories you identify with, it is wholly beneficial to the travel experience.
• Families and friends: Health and wellness tourism destinations can serve as a getaway with your loved ones. Spend quality time with family while relaxing in nature.
• Corporate employees: Because wellness tourism is often associated with ‘taking a break’ from daily stressors, corporate employees are some of the ideal benefactors of this experience. This also creates opportunities to facilitate positive team-building exercises together.
• Couples: Newlyweds going on a honeymoon and couples celebrating anniversaries can benefit from a health and wellness getaway to make special memories with one another.

Find the perfect health and wellness destination

Places rich in natural resources are often top choices for wellness getaways, especially those with mountainous places and tropical seashores. In the Philippines, the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) region was named as one of the local wellness havens.

Natural assets such as forests, mountains, hot springs, the Taal Volcano and lake, rivers, and the seaside all offer different activities during which tourists can bask in the beauty of nature. Fresh farms and green circuits promote physical well-being along with a scenic landscape, making the region a pioneer of health and wellness tourism in the Philippines.

ALSO READ: Why You Should Support Health and Wellness Tourism in the Philippines

Experience holistic health and wellness at Nurture Wellness Village

Nurture Wellness Village is a trailblazer in wellness tourism in the Philippines. Located among the serene hills and thriving farms of Tagaytay, our activities and services are rooted in Ecotherapy.

Enjoy our nature-based offerings that make us a top wellness destination in the Philippines, such as:

• Traditional Filipino Spa – Soothe your muscles with indigenous Filipino wellness practices by our accredited massage therapists.
• Wellness Packages – Pick from a variety of targeted health packages that combine luxurious spa experiences with wellness activities like yoga, food demonstrations, and Tai Qi Gong exercises.
• Corporate wellness – Be proactive about your employees’ wellness. We offer day tours and overnight team building and corporate planning packages for your business’ needs.
• Eco-therapy Exercise Circuit – Bond while being surrounded by nature through walks, jogging, and other forms of physical activity along this exercise trail.
• Farmer’s Table – Indulge your taste buds in healthy and hearty meals straight from our garden at our very own restaurant.

Connect with Nurture Wellness Village, one of the top health and wellness tourism destinations in the Philippines today.