The southern Thai MICE City of Phuket is set to enhance its global MICE profile. The world-famed island will be hosting three major international conferences in 2026 following successful bids supported Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB. The achievement also highlights the capabilities of Phuket in advancing three global agendas through these conventions: Sustainability, Wellness, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

The three international conferences are:

• Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC) 2026, organised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, hosted locally by Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) and supported by TCEB. The conference will take place April 21–24, 2026, at Royal Phuket City Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town.
• InterPride General Meeting & World Conference 2026, organised by the International Association of Pride Organizers (InterPride) and co-hosted by Naruemit Pride Co., The Foundation for the SOGI Rights and Justice (FOR-SOGI) and Andaman Power Association Phuket (Phuket Pride). The event is scheduled for October 28–November 1, 2026, at Duangjitt Resort and Spa.
• Global Wellness Summit (GWS) 2026, organised by the Global Wellness Institute and scheduled for November 10–13, 2026. 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).

The three conferences will attract around 2,100 attendees, generate economic impact with a total value of 351.40 million baht and create 484 jobs.

Dr. Supawan Teerarat, President of TCEB, said TCEB is highly pleased to have played a role in working with Phuket and successfully securing world-class conventions that advance key global agendas for Phuket. This accomplishment reflects not only Phuket’s potential and capabilities but also reinforces the city’s comprehensive branding-driven development strategy. Phuket stands out not only for its sustainable tourism but has also further elevated its position to build global confidence in its leadership across all three sectors.

“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. 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.”

Mr. Suwit Phansengiam, Phuket Deputy Governor, said: “Phuket is using MICE as a key mechanism to drive high-quality economic growth. International conferences generate benefits beyond tourism, spreading value to local businesses and communities. Hosting these major events demonstrates Phuket’s readiness as an international MICE city, enhances the island’s image, attracts investment, and supports sustainable economic growth. Phuket will continue developing its MICE industry to create new value for the province and strengthen Thailand’s regional MICE standing.”

Mr. Phumkit Raktaengam, President of Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) 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.”

Dr. Supawan added that TCEB, Phuket and Thailand are well-positioned to advance the conferences’ core agendas—sustainability, wellness and DEI—which will strengthen Phuket’s and Thailand’s reputations at a time these issues are major global decision factors for event destinations.

TCEB has long advanced measurable sustainability in events, including carbon avoidance and reduction, and promotion of MICE-related operational standards. Phuket benefits from a robust sustainable tourism network and proactive local GSTC members across government, attractions and hotel sectors, plus communities actively driving sustainability initiatives—factors that directly support the event proposals. Phuket is also partnering with the UNDP to set Sustainable Development targets through 2030, developing local sustainable tourism projects, and was selected as a pilot city for the National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA) to conserve island biodiversity. Collectively, these efforts bolster Thailand’s image as a trustworthy sustainable event destination.

InterPride 2026 is further enabled by Thailand’s equal marriage legislation, ongoing work on gender recognition laws, and labor rights for sex workers in Thailand—demonstrating concrete structural change. Phuket’s multicultural, LGBTQIA+-friendly environment and strong community networks position the island to be a model city for equality, broadening its international appeal as the “Rainbow Pearl of Asia”.

GWS 2026 will be boosted by Thailand’s national strategy to promote a “Wellness Economy” and supports Phuket as an international medical and wellness hub aligned with the 20-year national strategy. Phuket’s five‑star hotels and international-standard wellness providers, combined with new investments into premium health services and trends such as Health Span, create a compelling environment—set within Phuket’s natural settings—for rest and recovery.