(Photo By: Zawya)

By Forbes Middle East

UAE’s Position Strengthened as a Global Healthcare Destination

Forbes Middle East has wrapped up the second edition of its Medical Tourism & Wellness Summit, held on 9–10 December at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in partnership with American Hospital Dubai.

The two-day event gathered over 100 speakers, including healthcare leaders, policymakers, specialists, and global experts to explore future trends shaping medical tourism, health innovation, and wellness standards.

Leadership Emphasizes Sector’s Economic Importance

UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, opened the summit by stressing the UAE’s commitment to building a tourism model focused on wellness, preventive care, and advanced medical services.

He highlighted tourism’s strong contribution to the national economy: 13% of UAE GDP, USD 70 billion in economic output,  and more than 900,000 jobs supported.

In 2024, the UAE recorded nearly 30 million visitors, the highest in the region. Hotels welcomed 23 million guests in the first nine months of 2025, with occupancy surpassing 79%, reflecting rising global confidence in UAE’s tourism and healthcare ecosystem.

Innovation, AI, and Integrated Healthcare Systems

Minister Al Marri underscored that the future of medical tourism will rely on AI-driven diagnostics, telehealth, and seamless patient journeys.

He affirmed that the UAE will continue investing in partnerships and technological ecosystems that deliver advanced, safe, and trusted healthcare experiences.

Vision for Wellbeing as a National Priority

Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, stated that the UAE continues to lead in wellness and medical tourism through a development model centered on human wellbeing.

She emphasized that the summit highlighted cross-sector collaborations and showcased the UAE’s capacity to build an integrated wellbeing system supported by world-class infrastructure and future-ready strategies.

Dubai’s Rise as a Global Medical Tourism Hub

Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group and American Hospital Dubai, praised Dubai’s leadership for its commitment to innovation and global benchmarks.

He explained that American Hospital Dubai is developing a cutting-edge ecosystem combining robotics, AI and precision medicine, preventive and longevity-focused care, and human-centered patient services

These efforts continue to elevate Dubai as a trusted global center for advanced medical treatments.

Key Themes Driving the Summit

More than 20 panel sessions addressed major developments in mental wellbeing, nutritional health, physical wellness, and integrated care systems.

Discussions were shaped by the UAE National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aligns with We the UAE 2031 and UAE Centennial 2071, aiming to position the country as a worldwide leader in wellbeing.

Strengthening Public–Private Collaboration

The summit concluded by reinforcing the need for stronger cooperation between government and private sectors. Participants emphasized innovation, knowledge-sharing, and new solutions to meet growing global demand for medical tourism.

These efforts further solidify Dubai and the UAE as premier global destinations for healthcare, wellness, and medical innovation.

Strategic Partnerships Supporting the Event

The summit was organized with support from Ministry of Economy and Tourism, American Hospital Dubai (Presenting Partner), Aspetar (Event Partner), BeAthletica, Bateel, INNARA, No More Bottles, Organic Foods & Café, Humanity Code, and others as gift, print, food, and entertainment partners

Original Article:

Forbes Middle East. (2025). Forbes Middle East Medical Tourism & Wellness Summit concludes its second edition reinforcing the UAE as a leading destination for healthcare and innovation. Forbes Middle East. https://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/industry/healthcare/forbes-middle-east-medical-tourism-wellness-summit-concludes-its-second-edition-reinforcing-the-uae-as-a-leading-destination-for-healthcare-and-innovation-1