Phuket evolves into a ‘longevity tourism’ leader

The wellness industry’s latest longevity solutions, such as DNA profiling and the use of Artificial Intelligence to create tailored health blueprints and programs for every guest are now on offer at Phuket’s premium wellness destinations.

Leading hospitality consultancy C9 Hotelworks, in collaboration with VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center Phuket, released the latest industry insights and trends on 29th November.

In the latest in a series of C9 Sessions, C9 Hotelworks presented ‘Phuket’s New Wellness Trends for Hotels, Tourism & Real Estate’, an immersive event that revealed the latest insights and intelligence on the ever-evolving and expanding wellness tourism industry in Thailand and Phuket.

Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing areas of the tourism industry having become a US$ 6.3 trillion global powerhouse. At the heart of this revolution is Asia Pacific, which accounts for 30% of the worldwide market and where pioneering destinations such as Phuket have successfully changed the face of wellness tourism.

Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks revealed key data from the report, including analysis of the figures driving the wellness economy, which is valued at US$34.6 billion in Thailand, with an annual growth rate of 5.58% (2020-2022). This includes US$7.8 billion in wellness tourism trip expenditure alone.

Barnett noted “with its rich tradition of healing, Phuket has long attracted travellers who want to soothe their body, mind and soul in paradise. In the post-pandemic era, the mindset shift towards healthy lifestyles has inspired a new era of wellness tourism that goes far beyond the spa. As visionary companies launch a new collection of state-of-the-art cosmetic and medical services, Phuket is ensuring its longevity as a global wellness leader.”

Staged at Amora Beach Resort Phuket, in collaboration with VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center Phuket, powered by Bumrungrad International Hospital, the Phuket Hotels Association, and Delivering Asia, the 90-minute session explained how Phuket emerged as a top wellness tourism destination in the 1990s, when traditional Thai massage and spa therapies were elevated to new levels of luxury by the arrival of brands like Banyan Tree. This was followed by an expansion into medical tourism in the 2000s, driven by the arrival of private hospitals, which then shifted to focus on aesthetic treatments in the 2010s.

Now, in the lifestyle-conscious 2020s, the concept of ‘longevity tourism’ has taken centre stage – a holistic approach to wellbeing that promotes extended living. Phuket is leading this trend with cutting-edge facilities arriving in Phuket such as the VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center Phuket, a hub of health and longevity which opened its doors in November, the Health Resort by Clinique La Prairie at TriVananda, a sustainable luxury wellness resort which is on track to open in 2026, and the new Bumrungrad Hospital Phuket, which also debuts in 2026.

Dr. Polakit Teekakirikul, M.D., Chief Executive and Chief Science Officer, VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center Phuket added “this is a tremendously exciting time for the wellness tourism industry. The launch of our VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center will introduce some of the industry’s latest longevity solutions, such as DNA profiling and the use of AI, to create tailored health blueprints and programmes for every guest. This reflects our confidence in Phuket’s status as a global wellness hub, now and for many years to come.”

TriVananda will also soon be home to Clinique La Prairie’s first Health Resort in South East Asia.

“Clinique La Prairie’s longstanding expertise in longevity and their innovative approach makes them the ideal partner to achieve and realize our vision of establishing TriVananda as the gold standard for wellness hospitality in Asia,” said Kittisak Pattamasaevi, Chief Executive of Montara Hospitality Group, who oversees TRISARA and TriVananda adding “we recognize that there is a global stress epidemic at hand, and the negative affects it has on our individual health and wellbeing, and as a global community. TriVananda will be a place for people of all ages to heal, grow and learn.”

The series of moderated discussions covered topics including

• ‘Phuket’s Longevity Market’ with Dr. Polakit Teekakirikul, M.D., Chief Executive & Chief Science Officer, and Dr. Suthee Siriwechdaruk, M.D., Chief Administrative Officer, VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center Phuket;

• ‘Developing a New Lifestyle Wellness/Longevity Community’ by Kittisak “Kitt” Pattamasaevi, Chief Executive, Montara Hospitality Group, which will oversee Clinique La Prairie at TriVananda.

• ‘Longevity vs Wellness – What’s the Difference?’ debated by David Boucher, Chief Executive, Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket, and Dr. Nadzri Mokhtar, Chief Medical Wellness Director, Penang Medical Wellness & Longevity Hub,

• ‘Food for Life - A Dive Into Eating Better’ discussed by Dr. Brian Kunakom, Naturopathic Consultant, Bumrungrad International Hospital, and Michele Wisla, Plant-Based Health Coach, Our Conscious Kitchen

• ‘Mindfulness for Hotels’ which included input from Suksit Suvunditkul, President, Thailand Hotels Association Southern Chapter and Chief Executive, Deevana Hotels & Resorts.

For more information about C9 Hotelworks 

Access C9 Hotelworks’ ‘Phuket’s New Wellness Trends for Hotels, Tourism & Real Estate’

Image below from left: Dr. Brian Kunakom, Naturopathic Consultant, Bumrungrad International Hospital; David Boucher, Chief Executive, Bumrungrad International Hospital Phuket & Market; Dr. Polakit Teekakirikul, M.D., Chief Executive & Chief Science Officer, VitalLife Phuket; Bill Barnett, Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks; Dr. Suthee Siriwechdaruk, M.D., Chief Administrative Officer, VitalLife Phuket; and Sumi Soorian, Senior Advisor, Phuket Hotels Association