“Tipping Point in Wellness” will be the theme of the 2024 Global Wellness Summit, which will be held in Scotland this November.
GWS says the theme has a double meaning and the agenda has a dual vision.
The show will broadly explore how the wellness industry is experiencing a critical time of growth and disruption, while also taking a deeper look into the issue of water.
The 2024 Global Wellness Summit (GWS) is scheduled to be held in Scotland from 4th to 7th November with the theme “Tipping Point in Wellness”.
The event, held at St Andrews’ historic Old Course Hotel, will explore the wellness industry at a turning point of growth and evolution, with experts coming together to analyse the latest directions in their fields including fitness, mental wellness, wellness tourism, healthy food and weight loss, wellness real estate, welltech, beauty and wellness policy.
Taking on the “H2O experience economy”
A key focus on the schedule will be the burgeoning H2O experience economy, with GWS aiming to shine a spotlight on the resurgence of water-based therapies, with speakers elaborating on innovative hydrothermal approaches and emerging technologies that they feel will revolutionise wellbeing.
Participants can expect in-depth discussions about the proliferation of urban bathhouses, sauna centres and vast water wellness parks which are fast becoming new social hotspots.
The event will also highlight the revitalization of hot spring destinations around the world.
Climate change, the water crisis, and the wellness industry
With climate change threatening the world’s water resources, the summit will address the wellness industry’s role in sustainability.
Experts will discuss ways to minimise the environmental impact of water-intensive practices in spas and wellness tourism. Topics include enhancing the wellness industry’s contribution to the “Blue Economy”, advocating for a water ethic and adopting innovative technologies to improve water efficiency.
The 2024 GWS host sponsor is Kohler Co., a renowned brand in design and innovative waterscapes/experiences for 150 years. GWS says attendees will be immersed in a water-centric theme as the summit will be held at the Old Course Hotel, one of the company’s seven facilities worldwide, featuring the redesigned Kohler Waters Spa.
The company is also committed to sustainability and protecting the world’s water resources, and is working towards achieving net-zero environmental impact by 2035.
An industry tipping point
The broader agenda will explore the industry’s historic momentum, following a Global Wellness Institute (GWI) research forecast that the wellness economy will be worth a staggering US$8.5 trillion by 2027.
As in previous years, the GWI team: Global Wellness Economy MonitorIt’s packed with new data and insights on each wellness area.
“This is a turning point for wellness,” said GWS Chairman and CEO Suzie Ellis. “The 2024 Trends Report notes that we’ve seen more industry disruption in the past year than in the past decade, whether it’s the rapid rise of medical wellness and longevity concepts or big pharma’s rewriting of weight loss.”
“With rapidly changing consumer demands, rapidly evolving technologies, demographic changes (including a significant ageing population), accelerating climate change and demands from businesses to take environmental action, this year’s agenda explores how our industry will undergo even more radical change in the years to come.”
The next Spa Business In our exclusive interview with Ellis, we spoke at length about her journey in the industry, her passion for advancing the wellness sector, and her passion for expanding the global conversation around health and wellness to a wider audience.
