Travellers on layover at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) now have the option of adding land transit tours and even wellness medical stops, before departing the Philippines.

The 16 December launch event was attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who said the “experiential tourism” initiative is part of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028 to further diversify the country’s tourism offerings through gateway-based tourism initiatives.

For a country where tourism contributes nearly nine percent to the country’s gross domestic product, “these improvements are part of a wider set of firsts across the Philippines, from tourist call centres to dedicated rest areas, reflecting how the Department of Tourism (DOT) is innovating to make every traveller’s experience smoother, safer, and more rewarding,” Secretary Frasco added.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr officiated the 16 December launch event at NAIA Terminal 3. Photo Credit: Department of Tourism - Philippines

Short but meaningful

The Transit Tour programme builds on the Philippines' hop-on-hop-off bus tours, offering layover passengers a chance to experience a curated glimpse of Philippine culture, heritage, and communities even within a limited time.

Eligible visitors from visa-free countries with a minimum layover of eight hours can choose from an initial two itineraries, which both cover entrance fees and insurance at US$50 per person.

A tour bus picks visitors up at the airport, where a police officer and accredited tour guide will join the tour of Intramuros, Manila, the National Museum, and an afternoon tour of entertainment and shopping at Okada and Solaire in Pasay and Paranaque City.

Tour bookings can be made through the LovePH mobile app, the Philippine Airlines website, or by walk-in registration at Transit Tour Concierge Desks at NAIA Terminal 3.

The Medical Concierge rides on the back of longstanding public-private partnerships. Photo Credit: Department of Tourism - Philippines

Where you’ll find the “best nurses in the world”

“We always hear from my colleagues in the different parts of the world [that] we have the best nurses; we have the best doctors in the different parts of the world. So it's time, really, that we project the Philippines as a [central] hub for healthcare,” said Medical City Ortigas executive vice president and CEO Dr. Ruben G. Kasala, at the launch event.

The journey begins at the patient’s home, where the International Patient Concierge (IPC) at the chosen medical facility will prepare complete medical documents, treatments, flights, visa requirements, and medical clearance as needed for entry into the Philippines.

The Medical Concierge team’s focus will be on seamless assistance, as well as connections with trusted medical and wellness tourism partners for post-treatment recovery and leisure, including spa resorts, healing retreats, and cultural or shopping excursions.

Participating medical and wellness institutions include The Medical City, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Belo Medical Group, Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, Avignon Clinic, List Aesthetic Clinic, Novodental, Urban Smiles, and members of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines (WeTAP).

“This concierge represents more than convenience. It is a gateway to safe, coordinated and patient-centered care, ensuring that travellers who seek medical services are guided with accurate information, quality standards and seamless referrals from the moment they arrive in our country,” said Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Emmie Liza Perez-Chiong.