PHUKET is set to enhance its global events profile by hosting three international conferences in 2026 following successful bids supported by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
The achievement also highlights the Andaman Sea island’s capabilities in advancing three global agendas: Sustainability, Wellness, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), according to TCEB.
The three conferences are expected to attract around 2,100 attendees, generate economic impact with a total value of 351.40 million baht (about USD10.9m) and create 484 jobs. The events are:
– Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026, organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and hosted locally by the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation and supported by TCEB. The conference is scheduled for April 21–24, at Royal Phuket City Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town.
– InterPride General Meeting & World Conference 2026, organised by the International Association of Pride Organisers (InterPride) and co-hosted by Naruemit Pride Co., The Foundation for the SOGI Rights and Justice and Andaman Power Association Phuket (Phuket Pride). The event is scheduled for October 28 to November 1, at Duangjitt Resort and Spa.
– Global Wellness Summit (GWS) 2026, organised by the Global Wellness Institute and scheduled for November 10-13. Key Thai partners driving the event include the Department for Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (Ministry of Public Health), TCEB, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Phuket is regarded by TCEB as one of Thailand’s MICE cities with strong potential for sustainable tourism and with strong potential for events organised by global advocates for DEI.
“Phuket is a model MICE city that has effectively leveraged MICE events as a mechanism to elevate the city and create opportunities in trade, investment, and development, in alignment with TCEB’s targeted strategy to attract world-class events to Thailand,” said TCEB president Supawan Teerarat.
“This also reflects the strategy of developing regional MICE cities with distinctive branding aligned to their respective city strategies, as well as the approach of decentralising international events to destinations across the country, not limited solely to Bangkok.”
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Phumkit Raktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation, who took the lead for Phuket in the bids for GSTC 2026 and GWS 2026, said: “As a private-sector lead, I welcome Phuket’s selection to host these three global conferences – a result of strong public-private collaboration to implement the province’s seven strategic priorities.
“We aim to leverage Phuket’s sustainability strengths and world-class wellness services to deliver tangible outcomes that raise global competitiveness while preserving local well-being, ensuring development is sustainable and benefits both Phuket and Thailand.”
Supawan added that TCEB, Phuket and Thailand were well-positioned to advance the conferences’ core agendas of sustainability, wellness and DEI. She said this would strengthen the reputations of Phuket and Thailand at a time when these issues were important in deciding event destinations.
Main picture… Phuket City’s Sino-Portuguese landmark bedecked in rainbow colours
