Friday, November 21, 2008 Belo group set to open in Cebu
TO strengthen its efforts to promote medical tourism in the country, the 18-year-old Belo Medical Group will open its first branch in the Visayas at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu in February next year.
Targeting the high-end market, the clinic will initially offer non-surgical procedures, such as botox and thermage for the elimination of wrinkles, among others.
In an interview with reporters last Wednesday, Dr. Victoria “Vicki” Belo, the clinic’s medical director, said they wanted to test the Cebu market first through their non-surgical services.
Once the market response is good, the company can work on its plan to bring surgical procedures to Cebu.
Belo said the concept of The Terraces fit well with the company’s plan to target the class A and B crowd, including tourists.
The popular cosmetic surgeon is contemplating on getting a Korean interpreter for efficient communication between her staff and the Koreans who currently top the list of tourist arrivals in Cebu.
Apart from her affinity to Cebu (Belo disclosed she was born here), Belo said opening a branch here is a good time for her medical group because of the province’s growth, influx of tourists and its position as an island in the Pacific.
She added that the Belo Medical Group also want to be accessible to more people who want to avail of their services.
Belo is optimistic about the Cebu market, saying that “Cebuanos are willing to spend on services (with good value) that the Belo Medical Group offers.”
The Belo Medical Group, which is identified with the rich and famous because of its celebrity clients, will bring doctors, nurses, and facial care specialists from Manila to serve the patients at their Cebu clinic.
Belo also offers Belo Essentials, a skin care product line catering to the mass premium market.
The Belo Medical Group is the first ambulatory surgical center outside hospitals that is certified by the Department of Health and the Department of Tourism. (NRC)
