Phuket, Thailand — Thailand has secured a major international victory as Phuket has been officially chosen to host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 (GWS 2026), one of the world’s most influential events in the wellness industry. The announcement marks a historic milestone for Thailand and reinforces the country’s reputation as a premier global destination for wellness tourism and a rising leader in the global wellness economy.

The Global Wellness Summit 2026 is scheduled to take place in November 2026, bringing together an estimated 600 leading experts, investors, senior executives, Fortune 500 CEOs, and researchers from more than 30 countries. The event is expected to generate over 300 million baht in direct economic impact for Phuket while creating an ROI of more than 15 times through investment opportunities, business matchmaking, and long-term policy development in preventive and holistic healthcare.

Industry analysts say Thailand’s achievement in securing the summit reflects the country’s strong positioning in a wellness market valued at over 5.6 trillion baht globally, with rapid growth driven by rising international demand for health travel, longevity programs, medical wellness, and preventive healthcare solutions. Phuket’s world-class hospitality infrastructure, natural wellness offerings, and international accessibility played a key role in winning the bid against several global contenders.

Hosting GWS 2026 is expected to greatly enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in the fast-expanding wellness sector and open new doors for foreign investment, innovation, and collaborations across health tourism, medical research, and wellness technology. It also supports Thailand’s national agenda to advance the wellness economy as a high-value economic engine.

As preparations begin, industry leaders anticipate that the summit will position Phuket—and Thailand as a whole—more firmly on the global stage, accelerating the country’s transformation into a top-tier destination for wellness, longevity, and sustainable health tourism.

Source:Tourism Authority of Thailand