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Post by : Maya Rahman
Recently, Forbes Middle East hosted its second Medical Tourism and Wellness Summit from December 9 to 10 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, in collaboration with American Hospital Dubai. This two-day gathering attracted over 100 experts, specialists, business leaders, and decision-makers from the UAE and beyond to explore the future of health, wellness, and medical tourism.
The summit underscored the UAE's emergence as a premier global destination for healthcare and innovations in medical tourism. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, participated in the inaugural session, highlighting the sector's significance for the national economy and the UAE’s competitiveness on a global scale. Additionally, Mishal Karim Julfar, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, shared valuable insights on the future of wellbeing and integrated healthcare solutions.
Bin Touq emphasized the UAE's commitment to developing a tourism model focused on high-value experiences in medical care, preventive health, and overall wellbeing. With tourism accounting for 13% of the UAE's GDP and generating $70 billion while supporting over 900,000 jobs, the strength of the national tourism sector is evident.
He also noted that nearly 30 million tourists visited the UAE in 2024, marking the region's highest number, with hotels reporting over 23 million guests by the end of the first nine months of 2025 and showcasing impressive occupancy rates. He highlighted that future advancements in medical tourism and wellness will utilize AI, state-of-the-art diagnostics, and telehealth solutions to deliver secure and trustworthy experiences.
Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, indicated that the summit showcased the UAE’s capability to foster a robust wellbeing ecosystem, supported by top-tier infrastructure and cross-sector partnerships. She stressed the vital role health and wellness play in a balanced lifestyle and commended the UAE for being a pioneer in global medical tourism innovation.
Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group and American Hospital Dubai, remarked that Dubai's esteemed global standing in medical tourism is a product of clear vision, proactive initiatives, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Over 20 panel discussions addressed aspects of mental, nutritional, and physical wellness, in alignment with the UAE National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aims to position the nation as a world leader in wellbeing in connection with We the UAE 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071. The summit strengthened Dubai’s status as a hub for innovation in medical tourism and established global leadership in healthcare, wellness, and tourism in the region.
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