Phuket to host Global Wellness Summit 2026 as Thailand promotes health-led growth
Thailand says Phuket is ready to host the 20th Global Wellness Summit in 2026, with more than 600 delegates from over 30 countries expected.
Thailand will host the 20th Global Wellness Summit (GWS 2026) in Phuket, with more than 600 business leaders, investors and wellness experts from over 30 countries expected to attend, the Ministry of Public Health said on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
The ministry said the summit would support the government's “Health for Wealth” strategy, which aims to use healthcare, Thai herbs, innovation and traditional knowledge to create higher-value products and services and develop health industries as a new economic growth engine.
Public Health Minister Phatthana Phromphan said Thailand's wellness economy was valued at more than US$42.7 billion, or about B1.45 trillion, in 2024, according to data from the Global Wellness Institute. The country ranked 24th globally for the size of its wellness market, which was growing by 10.1% a year, and ranked 15th as a wellness tourism destination, he said.
The ministry identified four key Phuket sectors for development: hotels and resorts, spas and Thai massage, health centres, and wellness tourism. It said the summit would be used to promote Thailand's wellness brand internationally and strengthen the province's position as a global wellness hub.
The director-general of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine said the event would provide an opportunity to develop Phuket's wellness supply chain. Plans include wellness retreats and personalised health programmes at hotels, international service standards for spas and Thai massage, and health-focused fine dining based on the idea that food can be medicine.
The department also plans to promote “Phuket Wellness Routes” linking nature, spas, community lifestyles and healthy food. The initiative is intended to broaden Phuket's tourism identity beyond a coastal destination and increase links between major wellness businesses, local farmers, Thai massage therapists and communities.
The ministry said the summit would also seek to connect demand for organic produce and herbs from leading wellness businesses with local farmers, helping distribute income through the local economy.
