Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Ms. Thapane Kittappur, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), recently stated that the TAT will fully support the preparations for the Global Health Summit 2026 (GWS 2026), ensuring that this grand event held in Phuket is memorable and fruitful. “Thailand has diverse strengths in the health sector, from traditional therapies to natural healing experiences, laying a solid foundation for welcoming health professionals from around the world,” she emphasized.
The Global Health Summit 2026 is scheduled to be held in Phuket from November 10th to 13th, and is expected to bring together over 600 delegates from more than 30 countries, including leading experts, investors, policymakers, Fortune 500 executives, and researchers in the health field. Preliminary assessments indicate that the summit will not only inject vitality into the Thai economy but also promote high-value business cooperation and policy dialogue within the global health industry.
Thailand's successful bid to host the summit is attributed to its long-standing foundation and significant advantages in the health and wellness sector—its comprehensive medical service system, mature holistic therapies, unique Thai traditional medicine, and continuous stream of health innovations have all gained widespread international recognition. International markets, particularly the Gulf region, are showing increasing confidence in Thai health and wellness services, with related demand continuing to grow. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) annual Middle East Luxury Goods Trade Fair further reinforces this trend, with the third edition held in Kuwait and Bahrain on November 24th and 26th respectively, fully demonstrating Thailand's core appeal as a high-end health and lifestyle destination.
As the host city, Phuket is actively promoting its "Global Health Capital" development strategy, focusing on strengthening its ecosystem in areas such as longevity services, medical innovation, health hotels, and health-driven city development. The summit will inject strong momentum into Phuket's long-term development by attracting investment, enhancing international trust, and establishing itself as an emerging center of Asia's health economy.
For many years, health and wellness has been a core part of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's tourism development strategy. Thailand has not only launched a number of health, well-being, and mindfulness travel initiatives, but also recently initiated the global promotional campaign "Unforgettable Experiences: Healing as Luxury." Ms. Thapane stated that the 2026 Global Health Summit provides an important opportunity for Thailand to showcase its holistic health and wellness advantages, and Thailand will work with domestic and international partners to ensure the summit's complete success.
