The new theme will allow for scientific breakthroughs to be discussed as well as spiritual and emotional elements of the wellness industry
This will be the GWS' 20th anniversary
Dan Buettner, William Heinecke and Andrea Maier will keynote
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.
Taking place between 10-13 November at the Angsana Laguna Phuket resort, this event is expected to be the largest in GWS’ history.
The theme will provide a platform for discussions across wellness’ traditional and evolving pillars. Clinical, high-tech medical wellness and longevity will be in the spotlight as the science develops, but this year’s event will give equal time to emotional and spiritual dimensions of wellness. The agenda will include music, film and performances.
This year will be a global celebration of the last two decades for the wellness market as well as the GWS itself.
Nancy Davis, executive director and chief creative officer of GWS, said, “We’re building an exciting agenda that unpacks the many powerful lessons learned from these last 20 years of wellness while gathering high-profile experts to explore what the next 20 years might hold. We have incredible plans to really celebrate in Phuket and there will be many surprises.”
The first round of keynote speakers has been announced. They include:
- Dan Buettner, Emmy Award-winning producer and New York Times bestselling author, known for identifying the five blue zones – where people live the longest, healthiest lives.
- William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, the hospitality, food and lifestyle company with operations in over 60 countries.
- Andrea Maier, one of the world’s top experts on longevity medicine. She’s a professor of medicine and co-founder of NUS Academy of Healthy Longevity, at the National University of Singapore; and founder of Singapore’s Chi Longevity clinics.
The first keynote conversation has also been announced. The subject will be “How Asia’s independent hospitality brands are trailblazing the future of wellness travel.”
Speakers taking part include:
- Cathy Feliciano-Chon, managing partner of Finn Partners Greater China
- Ronald Akili, co-founder of Potato Head Bali
- Huy Huong, founder of Japan’s Shishi-Iwa House.
They will explore how Asia’s indie hospitality brands are developing a different form of wellness travel, where social connection, sustainability and connection to nature, culture and the arts form the cornerstone of concepts.
