The 2025 Global Wellness Summit (GWS) has changed location to the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Downtown in Dubai, which is due to open later this year.

The dates remain the same – 18 and 21 November.

The 19th annual GWS was originally scheduled to take place at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, a five-star beachfront resort in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Susie Ellis, CEO of the Global Wellness Summit said: "We regret the need to move the GWS 2025 from Abu Dhabi, due to circumstances beyond our control, but we're humbled by the tremendous support for the event at both public and private levels.

"For 19 years, the Global Wellness Summit has been on the cutting edge of the health and wellness industry, bringing together the best business, science and thought leaders to shape the future.

"With this in mind, and with this year’s focus on Longevity Through a Wellness Lens, the decision has been made to take the GWS to Dubai, where it will showcase global thought and business leaders, and some extraordinary events and activities that have become the hallmark of every GWS.

"We could not be more excited about the opportunity and look forward to building another future-focused event."

The new Mandarin Oriental hotel will be located in the asymmetric 303-metre tall Wasl Tower in Dubai’s iconic downtown district.

The property will have 259 bedrooms and 224 exclusive residences and be 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport.

There will be a spa and fitness centre at the property, alongside a 25-metre outdoor lap pool on the 11th floor rooftop terrace.

The hotel will also have three restaurants, with Chinese, Greek and Italian food on offer.

This is the fifth time in 19 years GWS has announced a venue change due to circumstances beyond its control. A planned event in Hong Kong was moved to Singapore due to riots, Tel Aviv was postponed twice due to the political situation, with the event diverted first to Miami and then to Boston, while Qatar was moved to Miami when the Gaza war commenced.

Dubai is around one and a half hours by road from Abu Dhabi.

Last year's summit in Scotland

For a summary of key moments from the 2024 summit in St Andrews, Scotland, check out the official review from Spa Business.