Philippine E-Journals

Philippines as Retirement Haven for Foreigners

Kathry C. Mamaril | Rosie Vine E. Lacson | Florentino T. Sebastian

Discipline: Social Studies

 

Abstract:

Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative designs, thirty retired tourists were surveyed on their reason for choosing to retire in the Philippines. The result of the survey was expounded by interviews with four foreign retirees. The survey showed that foreigners retire in the Philippines due to the following reasons: (1) the country has several scenic spots, (2) Filipinos are hospitable, and (3) the cost of living in the Philippines is cheaper than in any other countries. The retirees identified concerns that need to be resolved to make the Philippines an ideal place for retirement: (1) the bureaucracy in the Bureau of Immigration as well as the negative attitudes of its personnel (2) the inaccessibility of some tourist destinations particularly those located in the mountain province, and (3) the prevailing poverty which makes the foreigners victims of unscrupulous people.