UAE Hosts Forbes Medical Tourism and Wellness Summit 2025

Forbes Middle East recently held the second Medical Tourism and Wellness Summit on 9th–10th December at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, in partnership with American Hospital Dubai. The two-day event brought together over 100 experts, specialists, business leaders, and decision-makers from the UAE and around the world to discuss the future of health, wellness, and medical tourism.

The summit highlighted the UAE’s growing role as a global destination for healthcare and innovation in medical tourism. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, joined the opening session, emphasizing the sector’s importance for the national economy and the UAE’s global competitiveness. Mishal Karim Julfar, Executive Director of Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, also contributed insights on the future of wellbeing and integrated healthcare solutions.

In his remarks, Bin Touq said the UAE continues to develop a tourism model focused on value-driven experiences in medical treatment, preventive care, and overall wellbeing. He noted that tourism contributes 13% of the UAE’s GDP, generates $70 billion, and supports over 900,000 jobs, demonstrating the strength of the national tourism sector.

The Minister added that nearly 30 million visitors came to the UAE in 2024, the highest in the region, and that hotels recorded over 23 million guests in the first nine months of 2025 with high occupancy rates. He emphasized that future medical tourism and wellness will rely on AI, advanced diagnostics, and telehealth solutions to offer seamless, safe, and trusted experiences.

Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, said the summit highlighted the UAE’s ability to create a strong wellbeing ecosystem, backed by world-class infrastructure and partnerships across multiple sectors. She added that health and wellness are central to a balanced life and that the UAE sets an example for innovation in medical tourism globally.

Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group and American Hospital Dubai, noted that Dubai has built its global reputation in medical tourism through vision, action, and commitment to excellence.

Over 20 panel discussions covered mental, nutritional, and physical wellness, as well as integrated wellness solutions. These discussions aligned with the UAE National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, aiming to make the country a global leader in wellbeing in line with We the UAE 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071. The summit reinforced Dubai’s role as a hub for innovation in medical tourism, global healthcare leadership, and the future of health, wellness, and tourism in the region.