Positioning the Philippines as the primary diplomatic and commercial gateway to Southeast Asia’s burgeoning health, wellness, and longevity economies, a powerful tripartite coalition of government agencies, private sector leaders, and official media networks executed a Unified Declaration of Support hosted at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts. This landmark alliance officially activates HWONFEX 2026 as the premier ASEAN side event, anchoring a unified regional strategy to turn the bloc into the global epicenter for advanced medical travel, health intelligence, and cross-border wellness innovation, where health intelligence meets cross-border value creation.
The high-level gathering, officially convened as HWONFEX 2026: Official ASEAN Side Event & Joint Declaration Ceremony for the Wellness Economy, establishes an immediate economic bridge across the region. Under the formal endorsement of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the framework has been elevated as an ASEAN-recognized side event focused on scaling the global health tourism economy.
According to Global Wellness Institute (GWI) data, the global wellness economy has reached US$6.8 trillion and is projected to grow to US$9 trillion. The Philippine wellness market has expanded to US$47.3 billion, accounting for 10.2% of the country’s GDP, with domestic tourism driving approximately 70% of wellness travel volume. The initiative aims to leverage this strong domestic base to attract more international wellness travelers through its “Go & Get Better” campaign.
HWONFEX serves as the Philippines’ institutional platform for advancing regional health tourism by connecting medical innovators, hospitality providers, policymakers, and investors. Its national development blueprint is built around three pillars: GO EXPLORE, which focuses on medical travel, wellness hospitality, and retirement communities; GROW COMMUNITIES, which advances investment, trade, workforce development, and regional capacity building; and GLOW TOGETHER, which promotes natural, organic, nutraceutical, and traditional healthcare industries alongside accredited healthcare systems.
Leaders from government and industry highlighted the initiative’s potential to strengthen the country’s wellness economy, medical tourism, workforce development, and international competitiveness through closer collaboration between the public and private sectors.
HWONFEX 2026 will culminate in a three-day strategic program on September 4–6, 2026, featuring a two-day trade expo at SMX Convention Center, an ASEAN Summit and B2B sessions at Newport World Resorts, the inaugural HWONFEX Wellness Run at Quirino Grandstand, and a nationwide wellness familiarization tour across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. A virtual run category will also be available, allowing participants worldwide to join remotely while promoting eco-conscious participation.
The event will connect international buyers, investors, healthcare providers, wellness destinations, hospitality operators, manufacturers, and government institutions across five strategic sectors: advanced medical and longevity travel, wellness hospitality and retirement communities, traditional and integrative health, natural and nutraceutical commerce, and cross-border investment and workforce development.
HWONFEX 2026 is supported by a broad coalition of government agencies, private sector organizations, sponsors, and media partners. Applications are now open for international buyers, exhibitors, and corporate partners interested in participating in Southeast Asia’s growing health and wellness marketplace.
