The concept of travelling to improve one's well-being isn't new, in fact, it's been around for many years, centuries even, think back to the ancient baths in Rome.
In this post-covid world, people are a lot more conscious about their health and wellness, especially high net worth individuals, spending 20% more compared to pre-covid. This could be because the stress and fear that the pandemic brought is making people want to do activities that help with their health both physically and mentally.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, health & wellness tourism are travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being. From 2015-2017 this market has grown 6.5% annually, more than twice as fast as the growth of tourism overall. By 2022 it is predicted that the market will be representing 18% of all global tourism.
With people incorporating elements of wellness in their daily lives, it is no surprise that it is incorporated in their holidays as well, so what does this mean for hotels?
Hotels are needing to reevaluate their packages and itineraries to suit the changing market and to cater to the values of the health-conscious consumer. Some hotels have expanded their gyms and spas, introduced yoga, pilates, meditation classes or forest bathing as standard, others have gone the extra mile by introducing specialist packages overseen by health professionals. There are now dozens of high-end retreats and hotels providing specialist health holidays - whether that's fitness retreats at Canyon Ranch in Massachusetts or #TheRanch Malibu, health-reset regimes at #LaReserve in Switzerland and #VillaStephanie in Germany, or a full medical program overseen by doctors at Wald-hotel or Sha. For those who want an element of wellness included throughout their holiday, Abercrombie & Kent have started creating bespoke wellness itineraries, bringing in specialists every step of the way, from #yoga teachers to #nutritionists.
Travellers are seeking destinations that will not only provide them with services/activities that will improve their holistic health but ones that also align with their beliefs and values.
Tanaez Alexander
