Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat announced the forthcoming expo during a press conference at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (July 9).
Present for the announcement were Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO); Kongsak Koophongsakorn, President of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce; and Kamolphan Chalermsakulrat, Deputy Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket Office; and other key figures from the health, tourism and business sectors.
Also present were Somsuk Samphanprathip, Deputy Chief of the Phuket Public Health Office (PPHO); Warin Khaothong, Secretary of the Phuket Sport Association; Rattada Chubal, President of the Phuket Spa Association; Thanita Vanichutikul, President of the Phuket Massage Shop Operators Club; and Dr Mongkol Nittayawimon, President of the Thai Traditional Medicine Apiwat Development Association.
The ‘Phuket Health Expo’ will be held at Central Festival Phuket from July 24-28 and aims to promote tourism and highlight the province’s readiness to export health and wellness products and services, said an official release announcing the expo.
The event also seeks to foster trade connections with international markets, thereby boosting Phuket’s overall tourism economy, the release said.
A key focus of the expo is to showcase Phuket’s potential as a Wellness Tourism Hub of Asia. The event will feature health tourism, Health & Wellness Tourism, and other initiatives that could position Phuket as a global leader in wellness events, the release added.
The expo is expected to create significant economic benefits for the local community, fostering business alliances and creating a comprehensive supply chain for health products and services.
The expo will be divided into three main zones:
- Phuket Health & Wellness Show Case: Highlighting leading health and wellness products and services in Phuket.
- Connect Phuket Connect The World: Featuring products and technology from international markets and national chambers of commerce.
- Phuket Soft Power: Showcasing products and services from various health associations in Phuket, including five-star community products.
The event will also include stage activities and highlight events such as a floating flower arrangement competition in a spa tub on July 24, and a health tourism seminar by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
Other activities include a Muay Thai Soft Power discussion, a massage competition and a ‘Food as Medicine’ competition.
The ‘Phuket Health Expo’ is expected to drive significant economic benefits for Phuket, with investments projected to exceed B10 million, said the release.
The event promises to distribute income across various sectors and strengthen Phuket’s position as a key player in the wellness tourism industry, it added.
Residents and tourists are invited to attend the expo.