More and more individuals today are opting out of expensive, exhausting and unhealthy holidays for more subtle ones where they can regroup, revive and be healthy. Indeed, the concept of traveling for wellness, dubbed 'Wellness Travel' has gained worldwide popularity over the past few years. This can be attributed to the fact that many individuals are opting for healthier lifestyles these days in order to remain healthy for longer periods. In addition, wellness travel happens to be one of those lifestyle choices.This growth of the wellness industry has been staggering.
According to a report by SRI international in 2013, wellness tourism accounted for over 14% of the total global tourism revenue of approximately $3.2 trillion.
The market for wellness travel is also seen to be growing by at least 9% on an annual basis.Wellness travelers fall into two main categories. While some choose wellness as their primary objective while vacationing, others choose it as a complement to their existing holiday plans. So while the former would only visit spa and wellness destinations, the latter would opt for small wellness indulgences like exercise classes.Wellness tourism has slowly crept into all areas of travel, with experts indicating at the possibility of a deep impact on the industry. Radical changes are also being implemented all over the industry to incorporate wellness into existing plans.
These include crash-training travel agents on spa and wellness travel, incorporating healthier options and upgrades in hotels, setting up fitness centers and studios in cruises, setting up spa, meditation and yoga centers in airports for fliers.
In addition, they need to indulge in activities like hiring wellness managers and concierge staff at hotels and even offering digital detox packages wherein travelers agreeing to give up their technological gadgets during their holiday can get attractive discounts in yoga centers.In addition to all these developments, the wellness tourism front is expected to see more innovative and groundbreaking advances in the coming years. These include hotels that would offer exercise tips and equipment for guests and spas, which would use mobile apps to customize treatments according to individual preferences.
Governments around the world are also enhancing their natural thermal baths to make them more scenic and attractive for visitors.Some spas are also investing in float pools, chambers, floatation tanks, antigravity treadmills and exercise classes and aerial workout routines to cash in on the zero gravity trend.
Reality TV shows have also led to the opening of more survival and boot camps offering high intensity interval training exercises for quick results.
