Dubai to Host 2025 Global Wellness Summit, Shaping the Future of Wellness and Travel in the UAE

Published on October 20, 2025

Dubai is set to host the 2025 Global Wellness Summit (GWS), marking a significant moment in the intersection of wellness, tourism, and innovation. Scheduled from November 18-21, 2025, at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental in Downtown Dubai, the summit promises to be the most ambitious and forward-thinking edition of the event, featuring a packed agenda that spans longevity, biotech, wellness travel, medicine, and much more. With over 500 experts, including doctors, scientists, wellness executives, and policymakers, the summit will tackle some of the most pressing questions about the future of health, wellness, and how these industries will shape the tourism sector globally.

The 2025 Global Wellness Summit will bring together thought leaders from a wide range of industries, all united by a common interest: understanding the future of wellness in the context of global challenges like aging populations, environmental changes, and emerging technologies. The UAE, and Dubai in particular, is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of this conversation. As a growing hub for wellness tourism, Dubai continues to attract global visitors who are seeking not only luxury travel experiences but also opportunities to improve their health and well-being.

This year’s summit will provide a comprehensive look at the innovations transforming the wellness landscape, from new longevity treatments and biohacking techniques to cutting-edge advancements in wellness technology and fitness. It will also delve into the role of the wellness economy and how it intersects with the tourism sector, particularly in the Middle East. The event will not only feature lectures, discussions, and workshops but will also present new research and data to attendees, providing essential insights for business leaders, investors, and wellness professionals.

The Growing Importance of Wellness Tourism in Dubai

Dubai has long been a leader in the luxury travel sector, and its positioning as a hub for wellness tourism is quickly growing in prominence. The 2025 Global Wellness Summit serves as an opportunity to showcase the city’s wellness tourism offerings, which have attracted travelers from around the globe. The UAE government has invested heavily in promoting the wellness economy, with initiatives to integrate wellness services into hospitality and tourism sectors. Dubai’s luxury hotels, spas, and health retreats already provide world-class services designed to cater to health-conscious travelers.

The summit’s location in Dubai underscores the city’s role in the global wellness movement. From exclusive wellness retreats to advanced medical tourism facilities, Dubai has positioned itself as a destination for rejuvenation. With the Global Wellness Summit bringing thousands of wellness professionals to Dubai, the event also serves to reinforce the city’s cultural tourism reputation, attracting those who wish to explore the Middle East’s growing wellness sector.

The summit’s discussions and panels on wellness tourism will further highlight the ways in which travel and wellness intersect. By providing the latest research and wellness tourism trends, the event will help Dubai and the UAE continue to attract a diverse range of international visitors seeking health-focused experiences. Whether it’s luxury wellness spas, organic food experiences, or fitness-focused travel, Dubai is becoming an essential destination for wellness tourism.

Longevity, Biohacking, and the Wellness Industry

One of the central themes of the 2025 Global Wellness Summit will be longevity—a topic that has captured the attention of both the wellness and biotech industries. Advances in genetic editing, biomedical science, and precision medicine are poised to dramatically alter the way people age and how long they can live with a healthy lifespan. At the summit, prominent speakers such as Deepak Srivastava, president of Gladstone Institutes, will discuss breakthroughs in gene editing and how these technologies will help combat once-incurable diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.

For the wellness tourism industry, these advancements have significant implications. As more people live longer, healthier lives, the demand for wellness-based travel is expected to rise. Travelers will seek destinations that offer anti-aging treatments, wellness spas, and health retreats that align with their longevity goals. Dubai, with its growing focus on health and wellness, is perfectly positioned to meet this demand, offering visitors opportunities to experience both luxury and cutting-edge health solutions.

The summit will also feature discussions on biohacking—a growing trend in wellness that involves using technology to optimize physical and mental performance. Dave Asprey, the “father of biohacking,” will discuss how individuals can use various techniques and technologies to extend their healthspan and lifespan. This represents an exciting frontier in the wellness tourism space, where travelers are looking for new ways to enhance their well-being, using the latest in scientific innovation and technological advances.

Wellness and Hospitality: Convergence of Sectors

One of the most innovative aspects of the 2025 Global Wellness Summit is its exploration of how wellness intersects with hospitality and real estate. In a panel discussion, Sam Nazarian, an entrepreneur and hospitality leader, will join Shawn Buchheit to explore how wellness and hospitality are merging to create new business models. This convergence is particularly important in the luxury tourism sector, where high-end travelers seek not only comfort but also health and well-being as part of their travel experiences.

The wellness hospitality sector is growing rapidly in the UAE, and Dubai is at the forefront of this trend. Hotels and resorts in the city are increasingly integrating wellness-focused services such as meditation spaces, fitness centers, nutritional consultations, and wellness spas into their offerings. With discussions at the summit focused on the future of wellness in hospitality, the Dubai tourism industry will be better equipped to cater to the evolving needs of health-conscious travelers seeking a holistic travel experience.

Further, wellness real estate is another topic gaining attention at the summit. Speakers like Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development, will delve into the growing demand for wellness real estate in the UAE and globally. As more people prioritize their health and well-being, the desire for wellness-focused living spaces and communities is on the rise. Dubai’s investment in wellness real estate will likely serve as a model for other cities looking to cater to this burgeoning market.

Wellness, Tourism, and the Middle East’s Role

The Middle East, and specifically the UAE, is positioning itself as a global leader in wellness tourism. With major investments in healthcare, wellness resorts, and innovative wellness experiences, the region is primed to be a go-to destination for those seeking both luxury and health-focused travel. At the 2025 Global Wellness Summit, experts will discuss how the Middle East’s wellness sector is growing, particularly in Dubai and the surrounding regions.

The UAE’s ambition to become a global wellness leader is demonstrated by initiatives such as Abu Dhabi’s longevity programs, led by Nicole Sirotin, CEO of the Institute for Healthier Living. These initiatives focus on longevity and preventive healthcare, and they complement Dubai’s ongoing efforts to enhance its status as a destination for wellness tourism.

In addition to health and longevity, the summit will explore how nature, heritage, and healing are central to the region’s growing wellness tourism economy. Debbie Flynn and Phillip J. Jones will discuss how places like AlUla, Saudi Arabia, are integrating nature-based healing into their wellness offerings. These discussions provide valuable insight into how the Middle East is creating a wellness-driven tourism ecosystem that blends modern healthcare with ancient traditions.

Networking and Collaborative Opportunities

The Global Wellness Summit provides an unparalleled networking platform for attendees, including industry leaders, investors, and policymakers, to explore potential collaborations and partnerships. The summit will feature 90 hosted luncheons, where delegates can discuss critical topics such as the impact of GLP-1 medications on wellness, brain health innovations, and the future of wellness in hospitality. These intimate discussions provide a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas and forge relationships that could shape the future of wellness tourism and related sectors.

Additionally, the Innovation Lab at the summit will showcase startups and innovative companies working on breakthrough products and services in the wellness space. From cutting-edge wearable technology to next-generation wellness treatments, the Innovation Lab highlights the future of wellness as it intersects with technology, business, and tourism.

Conclusion: Dubai’s Role as a Wellness Tourism Leader

The 2025 Global Wellness Summit in Dubai will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of wellness tourism and cultural exchange. By bringing together experts from various sectors—including medicine, biotech, real estate, and hospitality—the summit provides a comprehensive view of the wellness industry’s future and its integration with tourism.

As Dubai continues to grow as a wellness tourism destination, the summit will offer valuable insights into how the region can remain at the forefront of this rapidly expanding sector. For travelers, wellness enthusiasts, and industry leaders, the 2025 Global Wellness Summit in Dubai promises to be a defining moment for the future of health-focused travel and global wellness trends.