Dr Tanupol views this as a prime opportunity for Thailand.
With its excellent medical facilities, world-class service, high-quality food, and outstanding natural environment, the country is well-positioned to leverage its “Wellness Soft Power” by offering therapeutic and restorative travel experiences.
Other key trends include:
Healthy Eating & Nutrition: This category is projected to reach $1.364 trillion in 2026. Despite inflation pushing up prices, the market is expanding at 3.9%, driven by intense interest in Gut Health (probiotics, prebiotics) and Mood Food to aid concentration and memory.
Workplace Wellness: Growing slowly at 2.2% annually, this is an essential sector that is moving beyond simple office exercise programmes.
The focus is shifting to implementing systemic changes like four-day work weeks, supporting better sleep, and improving environmental conditions to reduce employee stress.
Dr Tanupol concludes that in 2026, health will cease to be a choice and will become “the new economic power for families, businesses, and countries.”
Reference
Global Wellness Institute (2025). Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025. Miami, FL: GWI.
Masters, R., Anwar, E., Collins, B., Cookson, R., & Capewell, S. (2017).
Return on investment of public health interventions: a systematic review.
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 71(8), 827–834.