The founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations will explore the pivotal role that MENA destinations will play in the fast-growing wellness tourism sector in coming years

Doha, Qatar – July 16, 2023 – The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the leading conference for the $4.4 trillion business of wellness, is thrilled to announce Jeremy Jauncey, founder and CEO of Beautiful Destinations, as a keynote speaker for its 17th-annual event taking place in Doha, Qatar from November 6-9. 

Jauncey, a British-born serial entrepreneur, travel writer and social media influencer with millions of followers on Instagram, is a prominent figure in the travel industry. The Financial Times has called him the “world’s most influential traveler” and Fast Company magazine voted Beautiful Destinations one of the most innovative companies in the world, with over 50 million followers on social media. Jauncey also appeared on the cover Conde Nast – Middle East as part of the cover feature: “19 People Changing How We Travel.”

“Jeremy is not only one of the most influential individuals in international travel, but he’s also a leading advocate for sustainable travel and, specifically, wellness tourism,” said Cathy Feliciano-Chon, one of the GWS 2023 co-chairs and founder & managing director of CatchOn, a Finn Partners company. “He brings a level of understanding of the trends and opportunities within this fast-growing segment and can share his unique perspective on MENA’s explosive growth in this sector.”

Jauncey is a frequent speaker at high-profile events, including the World Travel Market, the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Global Summit and Skift Global Forum. In addition, Jauncey is a passionate advocate for sustainability and conservation, and is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund. He has been asked to speak at several United Nations events, including the UN General Assembly and the UN Climate Summit. 

“Qatar is one of the fastest-growing hospitality markets in the world and is aiming to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, attracting 6 million visitors by 2030,” said Nancy Davis, chief creative officer & executive director. “Qatar’s wellness tourism ambitions make an incredible case study for Summit delegates and Jeremy is uniquely positioned to discuss the opportunities for wellness tourism in the MENA region.”

“With a rich heritage steeped in ancient healing traditions, Middle Eastern wellness practices offer invaluable insights into holistic wellness that considers all aspects of our lives, including the body, mind, family, and community well-being. From the healing power of herbal remedies to the therapeutic rituals of traditional spa therapies, our region has long been a cradle of wellness wisdom and guests will have a chance to see this in person at the Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. The Global Wellness Summit in Qatar provides a unique platform to acknowledge and appreciate the profound significance of traditional Middle Eastern wellness practices in enhancing our overall well-being,” said Maryam Al-Jassim, Communications and PR Manager, Msheireb Properties.

Globally, Wellness Tourism, which was valued at $720 billion in 2019 and had a pandemic contraction to $436 billion in 2020, is expected to grow at a rate of 21% annually, a number that is likely to be even higher for the MENA region.

Qatar is one of the smallest but mightiest Middle Eastern countries, where cultural authenticity meets hyper-modernity, and is at a transformative time in its history. With its long-term focus on sustainable development and tourism, Qatar has undergone a profound recent reimagining, including major infrastructure, hospitality and cultural projects. Its unique landscape includes a 350-mile-long coastline of beaches and the vast Khor Al Udeid Desert. Downtown Doha is known for its spectacular ultramodern architecture inspired by ancient Islamic design. 

The Summit’s 2023 host sponsor is Doha-based Msheireb Properties and is considered Qatar's leading sustainable property developer. The event itself will take place at Msheireb Downtown Doha, one of the smartest, most sustainable city districts in the world. Summit delegates can also opt for a pre- or post-Summit visit to Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, a Msheireb Property development on the northern coast of Qatar that blends Traditional Arabic & Islamic Medicine with holistic health and well-being philosophy.