2019 Global Wellness Summit relocates from Hong Kong to Singapore

With mass public protests having impacted Hong Kong for more than 10 weeks, the organisers of the 2019 Global Wellness Summit have announced that its upcoming edition is moving from Hong Kong to Singapore.

In response to a query from Singapore newspaper The Straits Times, Global Wellness Summit Chair and Chief Executive, Susie Ellis advised that the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong were the reason for the change of venue.

Ellis stated “as the unrest in Hong Kong increased, a decision was made to move the Summit to Singapore.

“In an effort to ensure travel is as seamless as possible in and out of the Global Wellness Summit, our GWS leadership, advisory board and partners felt this shift in location was important for the collective wellbeing of everyone involved with the summit.

"We are working closely with event organisers and the host sponsor to ensure the event remains first-class and there is little interruption for all attendees and presenters."

The dates for the Summit remain the same - 15th to 17th October - with the event to move from the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong to the Grand Hyatt Singapore.

Billed by organisers as the foremost gathering of international leaders in the US$4.2 trillion global wellness economy, the Summit is expected to attract 600 delegates.

The protests in Hong Kong have also paralysed operations at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world's busiest, forcing the airport to suspend check-ins, creating long delays for passengers and the cancellation of 1,000 flights last week.

Ellis added “while we are saddened by the current situation in Hong Kong, we are excited to present the 13th annual summit in Singapore in October."

The GWS is an invitation-only international gathering that brings together industry leaders and visionaries to shape the business of wellness and the future of the industry.

Previous Summits have been held in the United States, Switzerland, Turkey, India, Morocco, Mexico, Austria and Italy.

Click here for more information on the Global Wellness Summit in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.