Global Wellness Summit Day 1
Global Wellness Summit Day 2
Global Wellness Summit Day 3
The 2025 Global Wellness Economy Monitor
Katherine Johnston, Senior Research Fellow, GWI, presented the new figures for the wellness economy in 2024. The total economy is now valued at 6.8 trillion USD; all wellness sectors have now recovered from the pandemic, and every sector is poised for future growth. In 2029, the economy is predicted to reach 9.8 trillion USD.
Wellness real estate and mental wellness sectors have experienced explosive growth. Physical activity, healthy eating, personal care & beauty, and traditional & complementary medicine have all experienced steady growth. Tourism-based sectors include spas, thermal springs, and wellness tourism; global tourism grew 1.9% over the past five years, whereas wellness tourism has grown 6.4% annually.
The wellness economy in Latin America and the Caribbean reached $402.8 billion USD in 2024, a 5.7% annual increase from 2019. Wellness expenditures amounted to $41 billion USD, a 11.5% increase from the previous year ($36.8 billion USD), driven by approximately 60 million trips. This included $12 billion USD in spa revenue across the region, representing a 12% increase from 2023.
A New Lens on Longevity: Wellness as the Future of Health
The Summit opened with a compelling focus on how wellness must inform the future of aging, positioning longevity not just as extending life but enhancing healthspan. Susie Ellis, Chair and CEO of the Global Wellness Summit, set the tone by highlighting the central theme of the event, Longevity Through a Wellness Lens, and underscoring the importance of combining science, prevention, and proactive care to change global health for the better. Michael Roizen, MD of Cleveland Clinic, challenged the audience to envision themselves biologically younger than their chronological age, defining wellness as slowing aging and longevity as reversing it. Speakers emphasized the economic and societal necessity of prioritizing wellness over reactive healthcare paradigms, citing shifts in policy and healthcare focus as pivotal to sustainable longevity.
Scientific Breakthroughs and Bio-Innovation Driving Wellness
The Summit’s focus on Science-Driven Longevity brought biotechnology and cutting-edge research squarely into the wellness conversation. The future of medicine focuses on cellular restoration. Experts like Michael Roizen of the Cleveland Clinic are treating aging as a condition that can be slowed or even reversed through genomic modification. Dr. Isaac Bentwich, CEO of CoreX, develops miniaturized organs, derived from human stem cells (taken from a blood sample), which, paired with machine learning, can simulate how drugs and supplements behave in the body. Deepak Srivastava, MD, at Gladstone Institutes illustrated how current research is making cures for major diseases conceivable through gene editing and AI-driven cellular regeneration. Damaged heart tissue can be regenerated, which could eventually end the need for organ transplants.
Dr. Susanna Søberg, founder of the Søberg Institute, brought evidence-based natural science into the longevity dialogue. Søberg’s research on intermittent cold and heat exposure demonstrates how stress-modulating exposures can improve metabolic function, reduce chronic stress hormones like cortisol, enhance insulin sensitivity, and potentially contribute to longevity by bolstering resilience at the physiological level. Her work provides insight into how controlled biological stressors can enhance healthspan. Even the world of aesthetics is shifting, as Lucy Goff founder of LYMA, advocates for beauty as a byproduct of cellular health, using technologies that alter gene expression to stimulate natural collagen from within.
The Quantified Quest: From Biohacking to Biomarkers
We are entering the age of the ‘Quantified Self,’ where wearable technology has evolved into a sophisticated diagnostic tool. Dave Asprey, of The Asprey Group, known as the ‘father of biohacking,’ continues to explore how individuals can take control of their own biology through low-cost interventions like light optimization and VO2 max focused cardio training. Ancient practices combined with modern science have now redefined self-optimization. Modern ‘healthspan’ metrics can now synthesize data on sleep consistency and cardiovascular stress to predict cognitive function and physical resilience with impressive accuracy, explained Kristen Holmes, PhD, of Whoop.
Hospitality, Architectural Design, and Wellness Environments
Several sessions bridged longevity with hospitality and built environments, acknowledging that where and how people live, work, and travel deeply influences their wellbeing. Ömer Isvan, of Servotel, argues that wellness must be ‘built-in, not bolted-on,’ where advanced air and water purification, circadian lighting, sound, and space positively impact health. In the hospitality sector, Sam Nazarian, of SBE Entertainment, is leading the charge with The Estate, luxury residences integrated with medical longevity solutions. Physical optimization is further supported by recovery protocols like heat and cold to reduce cardiovascular mortality. These protocols emphasize efficiency, showing biological gains, such as muscle density and brain protection.
Jeremy Jauncey, of Beautiful Destinations, and Philippe Zuber, of Kerzner International, emphasized how hotel environments can become immersive sanctuaries engineered to facilitate the deepest possible sleep, exploring how wellness programming can enhance lifestyle brands, resorts, and real estate offerings globally. Meng-Mei Chen, of Hospitality Vibes, discussed how emotional energy and social interactions within hospitality spaces shape guest happiness.
Wellness Tourism and Future Destinations
The intersection of wellness and travel emerged as an exciting frontier, with experts discussing how culturally rooted experiences and destination wellness can transform traditional tourism. Panels considered how storytelling, authenticity, and natural environments can create wellness experiences that foster human connection and deepen wellbeing – signaling that the future of wellness tourism lies in immersive, place-based narratives rather than generic luxury.
The Invisible Medicine: Connection, Consciousness, Music, and Meaning
While technology and data are vital, the longevity revolution recognizes that human connection is a biological necessity. Anna Bjurstam, wellness pioneer for Six Senses, highlights spirituality and ‘pleasure health’ as essential pillars, arguing that feeling good is a science in itself. The power of affiliation – the feeling of belonging – is often a stronger predictor of a long life than exercise alone. For older adults, researchers like Mary Leary, of Mather, anchor well-being in autonomy, achievement, and social connection. This more holistic view positions wellness as a lifelong journey anchored in psychological and social well-being.
This invisible medicine also encompasses mental health, where Freddie Moross, of Myndstream, advocates for music as a prescribable treatment to reduce patient stress and opioid use. Together with Dr. Dawn Mussallem of Mayo Clinic, they detailed how music can transform hospital environments by alleviating pain, reducing medication needs, and enhancing patient well-being, particularly during critical moments. This theme highlighted the importance of emotional and experiential healing in medical contexts, calling for wellness-infused solutions beyond traditional treatments.
Throughout the Summit, speakers returned to the importance of psychological health and self-compassion. Marisa Peer, renowned speaker and creator of Rapid Transformational Therapy, led a session on affirmations and the value of slowing down without guilt, reminding participants that self-worth is fundamental to wellness.
By Sara Jones, editor
