By Our Staff Writer
The ASEAN Health Tourism & Wellness Economy Summit 2026, held at Manila, the capital city of Philippines, saw key stakeholders and industry leaders discussing ways and means to strengthen collaboration and promote the growth of health tourism and the wellness economy across the ASEAN region.
The two-day gathering, held on September 4–5, highlighted the growing importance of health tourism and wellness as drivers of economic development, innovation, and regional cooperation.
It also provided a platform for government representatives, business leaders, healthcare and wellness professionals, tourism stakeholders, and other partners to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for stronger ASEAN collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Ferdinand Ferrer, President of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), urged Southeast Asian countries to work more closely and establish a single “wellness identity” to capture the growing $6.8-trillion global wellness economy.
“Collaboration means 11 nations choosing deliberately to stop competing for the same investor or the same visitor, and instead to build something greater than any one of us could build alone – a wellness identity that the world recognizes as unmistakably, proudly ASEAN,” he said.
He also said ASEAN could facilitate harmonization of standards and sharing of data and best practices.
The summit builds upon the foundation of the Bangkok Conference, which established the landmark ASEAN Health & Wellness Tourism Policy Framework and Roadmap.
