Australian visitor numbers to Boracay are set to increase thanks to the world-wide boom in medical and dental tourism. Many cannot afford dental work in Australia so they are turning to the world class doctors and facilities available throughout the Philippines and are choosing island destinations like Boracay for a holiday in between treatments.
Mr. Robert Graham is the Managing Director of Australian specialist wholesaler All About Asia and Meditour. Combined, his two companies are leaders in arranging dental and medical tourism for Australians in the Philippines with packaged holidays to places like Boracay, although the company has no direct association with dentists on the island itself.
“We have sent over 500 people in the last five years to the Philippines for dental treatment. They all come back delighted, not only with the high quality of the dental work and huge savings, but clients are really impressed with the beauty of Boracay and other parts of the country, and of course, because they are impressed with the friendliness of the Filipino people, ” said Mr. Graham.
Exotic locations like Boracay appeal to Australians who are brought up on a healthy outdoor lifestyle based around beaches, water activities and lots of sunshine. This belies the fact that Australia has one of the worst dental systems in the developed world.
Dentistry reform has been identified as a priority by the Australian Federal Government’s National Health and Hospital Reform Commission yet many Australian’s in the public health system are waiting anywhere between six months and two years for dental care.
Dr. Joel Gutierrez, D.M.D.,F.A.I.D., F.I.C.D., affiliate member of the American Dental Association, operates out of Metro Manila and has been associated with Meditour from the outset.
The former Chairman of the Philippine Dental Association’s Dental Tourism Committee has a constant flow of international patients who choose to visit him on price, quality and the chance to perhaps mix in a holiday at the same time as saving ten’s of thousands of dollars and having the work completed in days or weeks, not months.
“Most patients I see from Australia come to me because of the cost,” says the 30- year dental veteran and member of the prestigious Piere Fauchard Academy, an International Dental Honor Society where admission is by invitation only highlighting the fact that the Philippines has practitioners comparable with the best anywhere on the planet.
“Here in the Philippines we have the people and means to work to international standards but where you might pay AU$1800 for a crown in Australia, I can do the same work here for AU$300-$400”.
“We also can get the work done sometimes in as little as a few days,” he said, adding, “Many choose to visit Boracay while we complete their dental treatment and most come back amazed at its beauty and the fact that they can holiday in between their dental work.”
According to figures released by the Department of Tourism’s (DOT’s) Provincial Tourism Office, Region 6, Boracay attracted 649,559 tourists in 2009 of which 192,873 were foreign tourists. Australian numbers are estimated at around 3500 and growing.
Understandably, some people are quite nervous about travelling overseas, especially for medical treatment and need the assurance that the standards are as high as in Australia, even though the costs are considerably less. “I have personally met with the dentists and doctors at the clinics and over the years have built up a close association with them and feel confident that they and their staff know how to handle foreign patients,” said Mr. Graham.
Boracay is highly recommended and often requested by clients because of its charm and incredible beauty plus all the activities appeal to Australians and international tourists alike.
“Australians expect good shopping, nice beaches and quality food and the standard and variety Boracay offers especially in the strip between Stations 1 to 3, the existing and new accommodation and the sunsets on the main beach are legendry, and that’s what they want in a holiday experience”, said the Australian who has been visiting the Philippines for over 30 years, lived and worked in Manila for 10 years and married a Filipina 26 years ago.
Mr. Graham’s company, Meditour, works closely with the Philippine Department of Health, the Philippine Dental Association and the Philippine Department of Tourism which gives them the credibility that makes people feel much more confident in using them.
With tourist numbers to the Philippines expected to top nearly nine million in 2010, the DOT, local government, private operators and other stakeholders are working to grow the popularity of the Philippines as a medical and dental tourism destination in an industry reported to be worth between $10-15 billion annually.
Whilst Cebu, Camarines Sur and Metro Manila lead the way with general tourist numbers, Boracay, which the DOT reported as having a 2.4% increase in 2009, along with Bohol and Palawan, also recording double digit growth, will surely benefit from not only medical tourism but such measures as the approval of the Tourism Law and the investment of over P36 billion for various tourism projects.
Tourism Secretary Ace Durano expects a 15% growth in general tourism as a result of improved accommodation, airline services, tour packages and specialist tourism initiatives.
With word of mouth, the use of social networking and new and traditional media, Meditour is helping Australians discover the benefits of health and well being in the Philippines, encouraging visitors to take advantage of the many excellent spas and resorts that have sprung up all over the provinces as an adjunct to their recovery and general health.
Boracay with its active water activities fits the bill perfectly for Australians who want to relax and recuperate or get out there amongst it and be more physically active.
Mr. Graham was in the Philippines in November 2009 filming a promotional dental DVD featuring the doctors and clinics his company recommends and also showcasing destinations like Boracay to show Australians that the Philippines is a credible, viable, affordable and beautiful alternative to waiting for dental work in their own country.
Boracay can expect more happy smiling Australian faces in the years to come.

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