Global Wellness Summit 2026 previews theme and keynote speakers

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has announced its theme for 2026 alongside a stellar list of keynote speakers.

The 20th-anniversary event will be held at Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand from November 10-13 this year.

The theme, ‘The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness’ will offer an inclusive framework to explore both wellness’s core pillars and its emerging future possibilities, with emphasis on spirituality and the ‘soul’ of wellness as well as on the latest scientific breakthroughs.

European Spa is a proud media partner of GWS.

Science, art and the soul of wellness

The GWS 2026 agenda has been curated to reflect the vibrancy and vision of the industry, and all leaders working across the many spaces in wellness and preventative health will connect with the content.

Delegates can expect to hear the latest in medical-wellness and longevity alongside experts addressing the spiritual and emotional dimensions of wellness.

This will draw upon the arts, which are playing an unprecedented role, including experts on neuro-wellness, the neuro-arts and neuro-aesthetics.

Looking back to move forward, the agenda will also take a look at its host nation, Thailand, whose wellness landscape unites science and soul, from millennia-old wellness traditions to cutting-edge medical-wellness destinations.

Keynote speakers at GWS

The first keynotes for the 2026 event include Dan Buettner, Emmy Award-winning producer and five-time New York Times bestselling author, renowned for identifying the five regions of the world, known as Blue Zones, where people live the longest, healthiest lives.

A highlight of the event will be an address by William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, a global leader in hospitality, food and lifestyle.

Andrea Maier, MD PhD FRACP, one of the world’s leading experts on longevity medicine, will address the forum, as will Oon Chiew Seng, professor in medicine, co-founder of NUS Academy of Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore and founder of Singapore’s Chi Longevity clinics.

Cathy Feliciano-Chon, managing partner at FINN Partners Greater China, will lead a conversation with Ronald Akili, co-founder of Potato Head Bali, and Huy Huong, founder of Japan’s Shishi-Iwa House, on how Asia’s indie hospitality brands are trailblazing the future of wellness travel.

For more information on the Global Wellness Summit 2026 click here

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