Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 champions sustainable wellness tourism
Published on: Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 25, 2025
By: Crystal E Hermenegildus Text Size: Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. Kota Kinabalu: The Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 (SWWICE2025) united participants from over 15 countries in a collective effort to champion sustainable and integrated wellness tourism. Sabah's Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, said the event represents a major milestone in positioning Sabah as a global model for wellness tourism—one that is deeply rooted in sustainability, cultural heritage, and community values. 'Sabah is not just a scenic destination—it is a land of natural wellness, where healing, balance, and harmony are part of everyday life,' he said when officiating the event at Sutera Harbour on Tuesday. He said` as wellness tourism continues to evolve, Sabah is uniquely poised to lead by incorporating indigenous knowledge, local wisdom, and sustainable practices into the growing sector. With the theme Sustainable Wholistic Wellness Tourism, SWWICE2025 aims to redefine wellness beyond conventional spa and resort experiences. The conference explores ten key pillars of multidimensional well-being: Soul, Mind/Emotions, Body, Frequencies, Air, Water, Food, People, Home/Workplace, and Environment. Organising Chairperson Cleo Lajawai described the event as more than a conference—it is a movement.
Advertisement 'SWWICE2025 is a shared mission to foster deeper alignment with ourselves, each other, and the Earth,' she said. Cleo said over the next 10 days, SWWICE2025 will host a dynamic program of keynote forums, masterclasses, a wellness & lifestyle expo, cultural showcases, retreats, and interactive experiences — all designed to spark innovation, healing, and global collaboration. Among the highlights is the soft launch of GlobalWellnessTrip.com, a new directory and booking platform to connect sustainable wellness destinations and practitioners worldwide. From its beginnings in Sabah as IWWCE (International Wholistic Wellness Conference & Expo), the event has evolved and expanded globally, including a significant workplace edition in Germany, before returning to Sabah under the SWWICE brand. The event has garnered strong institutional support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Environment Sabah, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and many other partners across Asia and Europe. Joniston said that wellness tourism must be more than an economic opportunity — it should be a development strategy. 'Let Sabah be known not only as a place to visit, but as a place to heal, connect, and thrive,' he urged. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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