Wellness tourism redefines the future of travel

Wellness has moved from being a trend to becoming a central driver of global tourism. This will be reflected in the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) 2025, which will be held from November 18 to 21 at the Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai. Executives from brands such as Six Senses, Chenot, Lanserhof, Clinique La Prairie, and Kerzner International will gather, along with investors, academics, and tourism authorities, to discuss the future of an ever-expanding market.

According to data from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness tourism grew by nearly 30% in 2023, becoming the most dynamic segment within the wellness economy, which already represents $6.3 trillion. Projections indicate that the market will reach $1.35 trillion by 2028, driven by the search for experiences that combine health, relaxation, and emotional connection.

However, the sector also faces a new challenge: understanding the needs of an increasingly diverse and demanding public. Younger generations seek transformative experiences in contact with nature, while high-net-worth travelers prioritize preventative medicine, longevity, and cutting-edge treatments.

GWS President and CEO Susie Ellis emphasized that the change is not only quantitative but qualitative: “The market has evolved with more sophisticated and targeted offerings. The level of innovation and talent we will bring together in Dubai demonstrates how strong the momentum of wellness tourism is.”

Among the meeting's key topics will be the rise of longevity clinics, with panels featuring European experts such as Dr. Elke Benedetto-Reisch (Lanserhof Tegernsee), George Gaitanos (Chenot), and Simone Gibertoni (Clinique La Prairie), who will address the holistic approach to medical wellness in Europe. Also participating will be figures such as Sam Nazarian, founder of sbe and creator of The Estate, and Shawn Buchheit of Fountain Life, who will discuss the convergence of longevity, luxury, and hospitality.

But the event won't be limited to physical health. Speakers such as Manvendra Singh Shekhawat of the Suryagarh Collection hotel group and Anna Bjurstam of Six Senses will offer a broader perspective that integrates environmental sustainability, spirituality, and connection with nature. Similarly, Debbie Flynn (FINN Partners) and Phillip J. Jones of the Royal Commission for AlUla will explore how cultural identity and local roots can enhance authentic well-being in emerging Middle Eastern destinations.

The regional landscape will be another key focus. The GWS will explore the development of the Middle East's $19 billion wellness market, which is growing at an annual rate of 12%. Lindsay Madden-Nadeau of Red Sea Global will lead a panel on the future of regenerative tourism in Saudi Arabia, while senior executives from Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott International will lead a first-ever discussion on collaboration among competitors to drive wellness in global hospitality.

The event will also present the Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025, with new data on the growth of wellness tourism, spas, and thermal baths worldwide. Additionally, experts such as Jeremy Jauncey (Beautiful Destinations), Philippe Zuber (Kerzner International), and Meng-Mei Chen (École Hôtelière de Lausanne) will discuss how to create resilient brands and experiences that prioritize human connection in an era of technological and social change.

With the theme "Longevity Through a Wellness Lens," GWS 2025 promises to be much more than a summit: a space to rethink the role of tourism as an agent of holistic well-being, where health, emotion, and sustainability intertwine to define the next decade of the sector.

Fuente: Global Wellness Summit / PR Newswire