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The World Active Forum will be constituted as a Federation at FIBO 2023 / photo: Reed Exhibitions Deutschland
The COVID-19 pandemic caught the sector off guard; its impact not only redefined our way of living, but also reinforced the urgency to strengthen worldwide coordination.
In this context, the World Active Forum was officially launched in June 2021, as a platform designed to bring all stakeholders around the table, as a way to stimulate dialogue, share best practice and respond to the World Health Organization’s call to set up one clear voice for promoting physical activity at the global level. This initiative, meant to unite the sector, is based on values such as inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. All continents are represented within the Forum, and the invitation to participate remains open to all organisations from across the globe.
Rising cost of ill-health The recently released status report of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 revealed the enormous potential burden of physical inactivity on the healthcare systems, with up to a half billion new non-communicable disease cases internationally with an annual cost of US$27bn in treatment. High-income countries are expected to be the most impacted if the situation stays the same.
The World Active Forum aims to enhance collaboration with governments and United Nations agencies, thus repositioning the fitness and physical activity sector as an integral component of the preventative health environment. The final purpose is to speak with a singular, strong voice to achieve this much-needed systemic change.
‘Four pillars’ To successfully achieve these aspirations, the current global platform will transform into a Federation, next April, during the FIBO trade show. Its structure will be based on four thematic pillars: Research and Social Impact, Gender-Equality and Inclusion, Public Affairs, and Skills and Workforce. Aiming to get “more people, more active, more often”, the World Active Federation will work towards a physically active, healthier world. This is our objective, and we can achieve this by all working together.
Barrie Elvish is
CEO of AUSactive and interim chair of the World Active Forum
The World Active Forum will be constituted as a Federation at FIBO 2023 / photo: Reed Exhibitions Deutschland
The COVID-19 pandemic caught the sector off guard; its impact not only redefined our way of living, but also reinforced the urgency to strengthen worldwide coordination.
In this context, the World Active Forum was officially launched in June 2021, as a platform designed to bring all stakeholders around the table, as a way to stimulate dialogue, share best practice and respond to the World Health Organization’s call to set up one clear voice for promoting physical activity at the global level. This initiative, meant to unite the sector, is based on values such as inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. All continents are represented within the Forum, and the invitation to participate remains open to all organisations from across the globe.
Rising cost of ill-health The recently released status report of the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 revealed the enormous potential burden of physical inactivity on the healthcare systems, with up to a half billion new non-communicable disease cases internationally with an annual cost of US$27bn in treatment. High-income countries are expected to be the most impacted if the situation stays the same.
The World Active Forum aims to enhance collaboration with governments and United Nations agencies, thus repositioning the fitness and physical activity sector as an integral component of the preventative health environment. The final purpose is to speak with a singular, strong voice to achieve this much-needed systemic change.
‘Four pillars’ To successfully achieve these aspirations, the current global platform will transform into a Federation, next April, during the FIBO trade show. Its structure will be based on four thematic pillars: Research and Social Impact, Gender-Equality and Inclusion, Public Affairs, and Skills and Workforce. Aiming to get “more people, more active, more often”, the World Active Federation will work towards a physically active, healthier world. This is our objective, and we can achieve this by all working together.
Barrie Elvish is
CEO of AUSactive and interim chair of the World Active Forum
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
