The Business of Wellness

By Ola Diab

Qatar is set to host the Global Wellness Summit (GWS) 2023, the leading conference for the USD4.4 tn business of wellness, from 6 – 9 November 2023 at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD).

In the 16 years of the Global Wellness Summit (GWS), groups of esteemed, high-level delegates gathered in different locations around the world, from Switzerland to Bali, Indonesia to Morocco to Mexico and more. Now, it is coming to the Middle East.

Qatar, with its powerful vision to become a global leader in sustainability, tourism, health and wellness, sports and culture, will host the future-focused conference from 6 – 9 November 2023 at Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). According to GWS, Qatar has undergone a remarkable transformation in the last 50 years. The billion-dollar investments in infrastructure, higher education and world-class healthcare system developments, and sustainability leadership make it an attractive place for business, and it is positioning itself to be a formidable wellness tourism destination.

Known as “the Davos of the wellness industry", GWS is an annual four-day meeting where leaders from business, government, academia and science come together to shape the interconnected world of wellness. With the theme “A Time of Transformation,” this year, GWS is gathering delegates from the rapidly changing wellness industry to gather in a country—a region—experiencing rapid development and significant change.

A lightning rod for innovative thinking, groundbreaking research and powerful, productive networking, GWS joins together the leading minds in the business of wellness and prevention across all eleven sectors of the multitrillion dollar wellness economy. Held in a different location each year, the GWS is the event where relationships are forged, investments are made, and business gets done.

The GWS consists of Global Wellness Trends and Report Trendium, Annual Press Event, Future Wellness Leaders, Wellness Symposiums, Wellness Sector Spotlights, GWS Podcast Series and Livecasts, and Wellness Master Class Series.

Delegates learn about the latest innovations and disruptions across sectors, while gaining inspiration from visionaries and collaborative conversations. Topics include:

Beauty and Aesthetic Wellness

• Architecture and Design

• Art and Creativity

• Business, Investment and Economics

• Climate and Environment

• Healthcare Meets

• Self Care

• Hospitality and Spas

• Hot Springs and Hydrothermal Therapies

Longevity

• Mental Wellness

• Nutrition & Healthy Eating

• Personal Care, Beauty and Retail

• Physical Activity

• Purpose and Social Action

• Spirituality and Inspiration

• Technology and Innovation

Trends

• Wellness Policy

• Wellness Lifestyle Real Estate and Communities

• Wellness Research

• Wellness Tourism

• Workplace Wellness

Key Note Speakers

Jeremy Jauncey

Jeremy Jauncey, founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations, is the keynote speaker for the 17th edition of GWS. Jauncey, a British-born serial entrepreneur, travel writer and social media influencer with millions of followers on Instagram, is a prominent figure in the travel industry. The Financial Times has called him the “world’s most influential traveler” and Fast Company magazine voted Beautiful Destinations one of the most innovative companies in the world, with over 50 mn followers on social media. Jauncey also appeared on the cover of Conde Nast – Middle East as part of the cover feature: "19 People Changing How We Travel".

Jauncey is a frequent speaker at high-profile events, including the World Travel Market, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit and Skift Global Forum. In addition, Jauncey is a passionate advocate for sustainability and conservation, and is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund. He has been asked to speak at several United Nations events, including the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Summit.

Msheireb Properties

Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable property developer, is host sponsor with Eng Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties and Cathy Feliciano-Chon, founder of CatchOn – A Finn Partners Company as co-chairs.

Msheireb Properties is a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Sciences and Community Development (QF) and Qatar’s leading sustainable property developer. Its flagship project is MDD, which is one of the smartest, most sustainable city districts in the world. msheirebproperties.com, msheireb.com

Msheireb Properties also developed the ‘luxecluive’ haven Zulal Wellness Resort by ChivaSom, which opened in 2022. It’s the Middle East’s first full-immersion wellbeing resort, which offers unique services and treatments based upon Islamic healing principles and using indigenous ingredients. Just an hour from Doha on a private coastal location, GWS delegates will be able to experience Zulal pre- or post-conference. Summit delegates can also opt for a pre- or post-Summit visit to Zulal Wellness Resort, a Msheireb Property development and the Middle East’s first fullimmersion wellbeing resort, offering services and treatments based on Islamic healing principles and indigenous ingredients. zulal.com

Global Wellness Trends

GWS publishes the annual Global Wellness Trends report. GWC recently published The Future of Wellness 2023 Trends report, which identifies 12 key wellness trends impacting the wellness economy in 2023 and beyond. Rigorous, international research in this report unveils that the long, thoughtful pause forced by the pandemic has transformed the very idea of "wellness". People are now more reflective, they seek more science, they’re less selfish (more concerned about each other and the planet) and want solutions that are meaningful and work. You can purchase this longest-running, most in-depth wellness trends report to understand the meaningful shifts impacting your business and investments at globalwellnesssummit.com. Your purchase includes access to a recording of the recent Trends Master Class, where Beth McGroarty and six other experts unpack the 160-page report.

For more information on the Global Wellness Summit, visit globalwellnesssummit.com