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Thailand wins bid to host Global Wellness Summit 2026

The summit will take place in Phuket under the theme “The Symphony of Wellness.” The event is seen as an opportunity for the country to further reinforcing its advantages in wellness tourism and holistic healthcare services that meet international stards.

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand has secured the rights to host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 (GWS 2026), marking a major milestone in the country’s ambition to become a global wellness hub and generate multi-billion-baht economic value.

The summit will take place in Phuket under the theme “The Symphony of Wellness.” The event is seen as an opportunity for the country to further reinforcing its advantages in wellness tourism and holistic healthcare services that meet international stards.

Dr Pongsathorn Pokpermdee, Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine under the Ministry of Public Health, said the hosting rights represent a significant achievement that underscores Thailand’s leadership in holistic healthcare and its cultural strengths in wellness traditions.

The Global Wellness Summit brings together industry leaders from more than 50 countries, including hospitality, spa and wellness executives, medical specialists and global policymakers.

According to Dr Pongsathorn, the event is expected to generate at least 324 million THB (10 million USD) in economic value from 500–600 delegates, who will spend on luxury accommodation, travel, conferences, food, tourism and Thai wellness services. The benefits will extend to hotels, resorts, restaurants, local service providers and MICE-related businesses.

The summit will also create new opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs by connecting them with global investors and buyers, fostering innovation partnerships and opening new business channels for local communities, he added.

Thailand is also planning to implement a series of measures to boost the medical tourism sector, including hosting the first National Massage and Wellness Exhibition, promoting Thai massage and wellness services, and developing herbal and cultural-wellness tourism sites in 11 key localities targeting premium markets. The goal is to generate over 10 billion THB in healthcare and medical tourism revenue by 2026.

Thailand aims to bring traditional and alternative medicine to the global stage while expanding economic opportunities and improving the quality of life of its people.

Hosting GWS 2026 is not only a source of national pride but also marks the beginning of Thailand's rise as a global leader in wellness, Pongsathorn stated./.

VNA
#Thailand #Global Wellness Summit 2026 #hospitality #Thai Ministry of Public Health #medical tourism Thailand
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