Phuket wellness routes plan links nature, Thai massage and communities
Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is promoting Phuket Wellness Routes ahead of the Global Wellness Summit 2026 in Phuket.
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine is promoting “Phuket Wellness Routes”, a proposed wellness tourism network linking nature, spas, Thai massage, herbs, healthy food and local communities.
The department said the initiative would offer activities including forest bathing, mindfulness, Thai massage, herbal and healthy-food learning, and opportunities to experience local culture. It is intended to highlight Phuket’s identity and Thai traditional knowledge while creating business opportunities for farmers, herb producers, healthy-food operators, spas, Thai massage businesses and tourism communities.
Thailand is scheduled to host the Global Wellness Summit 2026 from 10 to 13 November 2026 at Angsana Laguna Phuket. The event’s overall concept is “The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness”, while its focus is “The Future of Wellness Travel”.
The department said the summit would allow Thailand to present its natural resources, culture, traditional medicine, herbs, massage, healthy food and wellness services to international investors, business leaders and specialists.
Citing Global Wellness Institute data, the department said Asia’s wellness tourism market was worth about US$215 billion in 2024, an increase of 31% from the previous year. It also said spending on wellness tourism in Thailand rose 36.4% between 2023 and 2024 to US$14 billion.
