Philippines Launches its First Transit Tours and Medical Tourism Lounge at NAIA, Enhancing New Travel Experience with Cultural and Medical Services

Published on December 16, 2025

Recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. launched the Philippines’ very first transit tours and medical tourism lounge within the facilities of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. This novel approach will give foreign tourists and medical tourists a better experience in traveling to the Philippines for their medical needs and visits. This initiative will soon become a key growth driver in the tourism and medical tourism industries.

Introducing Transit Tours: A Seamless Experience for International Travelers

As part of the new initiative, the Philippines is offering transit tours for foreign passengers with a minimum layover of 8 hours. These curated four-hour tours allow visitors to explore Metro Manila’s iconic cultural, historical, and leisure destinations. Tourists can choose between the Cultural and Heritage Experience, which includes visits to Intramuros and the National Museum, or the Leisure and Entertainment Experience that covers Okada Manila and Solaire Resort. Each tour is priced at USD 50, providing travelers with an affordable and convenient way to experience the Philippines, even during a short layover.

President Marcos emphasized that the goal is to offer travelers a glimpse of the Philippines, showcasing its culture and heritage while enhancing the overall tourism experience. This new initiative will attract more international tourists, benefiting the local tourism industry and providing livelihood opportunities for local guides and businesses.

The Medical Tourism Concierge: Enhancing Health Travel Experience

In addition to the transit tours, the Philippine government also unveiled the Medical Tourism Concierge Lounge, designed to cater to medical tourists. The lounge will serve as a dedicated space to support patients traveling to the Philippines for medical procedures, offering them a seamless and dignified experience. This includes a reception counter for medical partners, a private consultation bed, and dedicated airport assistance to facilitate smooth transfers from the airport to hospitals and clinics.

With partner hospitals such as The Medical City, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and Makati Medical Center, the Medical Tourism Concierge aims to provide a high level of service for travelers seeking healthcare in the Philippines. The lounge not only serves patients but also highlights the country’s growing medical tourism sector, which integrates healthcare with tourism and emphasizes the country’s world-class medical expertise and wellness offerings.

The Growing Role of Medical Tourism in the Philippines

Medical tourism has become one of the Philippines’ key tourism products, with the country attracting medical travelers seeking high-quality healthcare services at competitive prices. The establishment of the Medical Tourism Concierge Lounge is a direct response to the increasing demand for healthcare services combined with tourism. As more international patients seek treatment in the Philippines, the lounge will provide them with a seamless experience, ensuring comfort and privacy during their journey.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco emphasized that medical tourism is not just about healthcare but also involves introducing patients to wellness experiences and other tourism offerings in DOT-accredited spa resorts and healing retreats. This holistic approach to medical tourism can potentially increase the country’s appeal to international medical travelers, who are seeking both medical care and restorative travel experiences.

Future Impact: Medical Tourism as a Key Growth Sector

Looking ahead, the development of the Medical Tourism Concierge Lounge marks the beginning of the Philippines’ expansion as a medical tourism hub. This initiative will likely have significant long-term benefits, including:

• Increased International Medical Arrivals: The availability of dedicated services for medical tourists at NAIA will make the Philippines an even more attractive destination for those seeking affordable and high-quality medical care.
• Boosting Tourism Revenue: As more tourists come for medical treatments, they are likely to spend more on accommodation, transportation, and local tourism services, contributing to the Philippine economy.
• Creation of Jobs and Livelihoods: The growth of the medical tourism sector will support local healthcare professionals, tourism guides, and transport providers, creating new employment opportunities.
• Improved Global Reputation: The Philippines will strengthen its position as a leader in medical tourism by continuing to improve services for foreign patients and maintaining its reputation for offering affordable yet high-quality healthcare.

Long-Term Benefits for the Tourism and Healthcare Sectors

The growing integration of tourism and healthcare in the Philippines will have a ripple effect on both industries. As the country invests in medical tourism infrastructure, such as the Medical Tourism Concierge Lounge, it will create a sustainable tourism model that balances healthcare excellence with local cultural tourism. This cross-sector collaboration is key to fostering long-term growth in tourism revenue while maintaining a high standard of care for international patients.

In the future, medical tourism will continue to be a strategic growth area for the Philippines, as more countries look to combine healthcare services with leisure tourism. By providing innovative services and enhancing the patient experience, the Philippines is well-positioned to capitalize on this booming industry, ensuring a steady influx of medical travelers and an increase in tourism-related income.

A New Era for Medical Tourism in the Philippines

The opening of the Medical Tourism Concierge Lounge and transit tours in the NAIA airport is a big leap forward in the development of the medical tourism industry in the Philippines. With the Philippines improving its image as a tourist and medical destination that offers both good value-for-money medical services and exceptional travel experiences, the Philippines is on its way to becoming the next popular spot in the world for medical tourists. With the combination of the two industries, the Philippines will surely benefit through the creation of employment and development in the two sectors in the international scene. The future of medical tourism in the Philippines looks brighter with innovations like these.