Philippines Strengthens Health Tourism Push Through HWONFEX 2026 Preview

The Philippines is strengthening its bid to become a major health and wellness tourism destination in Southeast Asia as government agencies, business groups, wellness advocates, and industry leaders gathered for a special preview of the Health & Wellness Confex (HWONFEX) and HilomX 2026.

Held at VS Hotel & Convention Center, the gathering offered an early look at the two-day event scheduled for September 4 and 5, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Recognized as an official ASEAN side event, HWONFEX carries the theme “Go Explore, Grow Communities, Glow Together,” highlighting the Philippines’ potential in wellness tourism, medical travel, retirement living, traditional healthcare, and preventive wellness.

The program opened with a presentation on the growing ASEAN wellness economy, followed by welcome remarks from Jeoffrey Solas of VS Hotel Group and an address by former Tourism Secretary and wellness tourism advocate Wanda Tulfo-Teo.

Presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and led by Dr. Hernando Delizo, HWONFEX aims to connect government policy, tourism development, healthcare services, investment, and private-sector participation.

Department of Tourism representative Dr. Paulo Benito S. Tugbang and Philippine Retirement Authority General Manager and CEO Roberto Z. Zozobrado discussed opportunities to strengthen health tourism corridors while developing destinations and services suited for international medical travelers and retirees. The Department of Social Welfare and Development is also supporting the initiative, adding a community and social welfare dimension to the broader wellness agenda.

Beyond policy discussions, the preview emphasized business opportunities. HWONFEX organizer Macky Beltran-Soriano introduced the Procurement Matrix Ecosystem, a business-to-business platform designed to connect international hosted buyers and institutional organizations with Philippine suppliers and wellness enterprises.

Representatives from the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Philippine Retirement Authority, and Human Resource Educators’ Association of the Philippines are among the groups expected to participate in building stronger links across tourism, hospitality, wellness, and corporate health sectors.

WellGather founder and HWONFEX Ambassador Marla Ramos also presented the Go & Get Better Journey Experience, focusing on workplace wellness and programs that encourage healthier corporate environments.

Another major component of the event is HilomX, which brings traditional and complementary healthcare into the conversation. Jerome Tumambing, representing Philippine Institute of Traditional and Alternative Health Care Director General Dr. Ma. Teresa “Tess” C. Iñigo, discussed efforts to promote safe and responsible traditional healthcare practices while giving greater attention to Filipino wellness traditions, including Hilot and locally produced natural health products.

The preview also introduced the Go & Get Better Wellness Festival Run 2026, presented by Joyce Selga. Set at the Quirino Grandstand, the activity will combine physical fitness with a Wellness Recovery Village and other public wellness activities.

International health and medical tourism strategist Dr. Prem Jagyasi provided a global perspective on the opportunities available to destinations building competitive wellness economies.

HWONFEX and HilomX 2026 are supported by a broad network of government agencies, business organizations, tourism groups, wellness companies, advocacy organizations, media partners, and private-sector sponsors.

The preview concluded with interactive fitness activities, traditional wellness experiences, networking among buyers and industry representatives, and a health-focused culinary presentation at VS Hotel & Convention Center—offering participants a glimpse of the larger wellness ecosystem that HWONFEX hopes to advance across the Philippines and ASEAN.