Miami, Florida, October 25, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will open with a royal appearance: Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalakshana of Thailand will officially open the event on the morning of November 11 at the Angsana Laguna Phuket in Thailand. This will be a historic and significant event for the conference – the most important gathering of leaders in the global wellness industry – which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Queen Suthida, the consort of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X), has a deep connection to well-being and has redefined the modern royal family in the areas of health, sport, and fitness. As a top athlete, she played a key role in Thailand's historic gold medal win at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games (as strategist and navigator). Appointed by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) as its first Global Ambassador for Women, she champions women in sport worldwide. As a long-distance runner, she completed the half marathon at the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2025 alongside Olympic legend Eliud Kipchoge. More than a queen, she is a symbol of a healthy lifestyle, strength, and discipline for young women—and an inspiring role model for well-being for all Thais.

“It is a great honor to welcome the Queen of Thailand to our 20th anniversary celebration,” said Susie Ellis, Chair and CEO of GWS. “This is an extraordinary moment for the wellness industry, and I am confident that every attendee will never forget this unforgettable experience. Queen Suthida’s authentic leadership and deep commitment to health, wellness, and sport are an inspiration to us all.”

Jiří Dvořák, MD, PhD, Co-Chair of GWS 2026 and Professor of Neurology at the Schulthess Clinic Zurich and the pioneering BDMS Wellness Clinic in Thailand, added: “I have known Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand for many years, as she regularly trains in our musculoskeletal department at the BWC. When she trains, her entire team trains as well. Her Majesty is a top athlete and a role model for her team at the palace and beyond, for the entire nation! It is an honor for me to oversee her training and to welcome her to the 20th Global Wellness Summit.”

About the Global Wellness Summit: The Global Wellness Summit brings together leading minds and visionaries to actively shape the future of the $6.8 trillion global wellness industry. In addition to an annual conference held at different locations around the world, the GWS also hosts in-person events such as the Wellness Real Estate & Communities Symposium and the New York Media Event, where the "Future of Wellness" report is presented—a forecast of the year's key wellness trends that is frequently cited in the media. The GWS also offers virtual events, including wellness masterclasses. The 20th annual Global Wellness Summit will take place from November 10–13, 2026, in Phuket, Thailand.