What's Happening?
The Global Wellness Summit is set to take place in Dubai from November 18 to 21, 2025, focusing on the future of wellness in travel and hospitality. The event will gather executives from wellness travel companies, investors, academics, and government
tourism leaders to discuss the evolving $830 billion wellness tourism market. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism sector grew by approximately 30% in 2023, with projections indicating the market will reach $1.35 trillion by 2028. Key topics at the summit include the demand for medical-wellness and longevity destinations, and the growing interest in mental and emotional wellness, nature, spirituality, and planetary health. Discussions will also cover the future of the $19 billion Middle East wellness tourism market, which has seen significant growth at an annual rate of 12% from 2019 to 2023.
Why It's Important?
The summit's focus on wellness tourism highlights a significant shift in consumer preferences towards health and well-being in travel experiences. This trend is crucial for the travel and hospitality industries, which are adapting to meet the increasing demand for wellness-focused destinations. The growth in wellness tourism presents opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand their offerings, potentially leading to increased revenue and market share. Additionally, the emphasis on mental and emotional wellness, spirituality, and planetary health reflects broader societal shifts towards holistic well-being, which could influence public policy and industry standards.
What's Next?
The Global Wellness Institute will release its 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor during the summit, providing new data on the growth of wellness tourism, spa, and thermal/mineral springs markets. This data will be crucial for stakeholders in the travel and hospitality industries to strategize and align their offerings with emerging trends. The summit will also feature discussions led by hospitality entrepreneurs and executives from preventative diagnostics companies, exploring the convergence of longevity, hospitality, and new wellness concepts. These discussions may lead to innovative partnerships and business models that further integrate wellness into travel experiences.
Beyond the Headlines
The summit's exploration of wellness tourism's future may have ethical and cultural implications, particularly in how destinations incorporate indigenous heritage and spirituality into their offerings. This could lead to a deeper appreciation and preservation of cultural traditions, while also raising questions about cultural appropriation and authenticity. The focus on planetary health and sustainability in wellness tourism may drive long-term shifts towards environmentally responsible travel practices, influencing industry standards and consumer expectations.