Wellness Tourism to reach $1 trillion turnover by 2020 - Five top trends for 2019
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) is celebrating its first anniversary with the release of its first survey on Wellness Vacations. Members of WTA were polled to find out what the top wellness travel trends are for 2019, recommend.com reports.
Wellness travel has gained popularity worldwide, and the Global Wellness Institute is predicting that the wellness tourism sector will reach close to $1 trillion U.S. on a global level by 2020.
Here are the five trends the WTA is predicting growth for:
1. Going Solo
Seventy-five percent of women participate in solo traveler retreats.
The Going Solo trend that many of the WTA members are witnessing supports the results of the WTA’s recent Wellness Vacation survey in which close to 25 percent of respondents reported a preference for solo travel. At Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Davina Bernard, director of wellness, tells WTA that 50 percent of their wellness package guests are women traveling solo, a figure that increases to 75 percent for three- and four-night retreats.
2. Rise in Newcomers
Many travelers are taking a wellness-focused holiday for the first time.
At Canyon Ranch resorts, “new guests make up nearly 50 percent of our business,” notes Klein. “We’ve observed this growing trend over the last few years, and it appears to be continuing strong.”
Bernard reports that “95 percent of the people who attend all-inclusive retreats at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise have never attended a wellness retreat before.” Supporting this trend, over 60 percent of WTA Survey respondents indicated that they had never taken a Wellness Vacation as they themselves described, but hoped to do so in the near future and wanted more information.
3. Greater Flexibility with Length of Stays
The flexibility between longer vacation options and short vacation options is rising.
Members are seeing demand for a wider range of durations for retreats and programs. Kathleen LeSage, co-owner of the New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, Vermont, tells WTA that over the past three years, the number of guests that have stayed longer than two weeks has increased by 90 percent. She says, “the trend to longer stays prompted us to add the 21-night wellness retreat launched in 2017.” Simultaneously, Canyon Ranch has seen a decrease in guests’ average length of stay, as customers, “are seeking shorter and more frequent trips,” says Klein.
Hilton Head Health’s senior v.p. of sales and marketing Jessica Brantley tells WTA that while “annual visits” have been popular for years, guests are now planning out shorter, more frequent trips (two to four times per year) to stay on track, while others are dedicating resources to commit to an 8- to 12-week stay to make a significant and efficient impact on their health. She has also observed that while such bookings might have once been considered impulsive trips to drop a few pounds, H3 has found guests to be more structured and intentional with their wellness travel plans of late. Twenty percent of guests at Hilton Head Health plan their next visits before they leave, she adds.
4. Mental Health Matters
Guests are not only seeking yoga retreats, but mindful wellness vacations.
Petersen of Retreats Unlimited reveals she is seeing more of her retreat participants totally shut down for a few days, and when this happens, “there are often tears, deep conversations, and expressed feelings that they are not the only ones going through something.” She says they come for the yoga and fitness, but leave with a better sense of their own mental health. Adding that this might be the most “exciting trend for us.”
Wellness guests “might have been searching for ‘yoga retreats’ online, but it is the content around ‘mindfulness’ and how to live your best life that they tell us is the best part of our retreats,” stresses Bernard.
5. Demand for Specific Solutions & Increasing Awareness of Value Proposition
Travelers are appreciating true wellness-focused vacations that are the right fit for their specific needs.
Consumers are becoming more aware of the value associated with a true wellness vacation that is planned with a specific aim and carefully researched to ensure the right fit prior to booking.
At Kamalaya, Stewart has witnessed “more guests coming from all over the world because they are dealing with stress and stress-related symptoms due to their fast-paced lifestyles.” She is seeing an increasing number of travelers looking for health solutions and a results-focused approach to such health concerns as stress management, insomnia, and achieving a healthy weight. “The vast majority of guests come to Kamalaya with a goal in mind, whether it’s clearly defined (e.g. stress, detox or fitness) or less defined such as a need to reset internally (e.g. to address difficult life changes back home, relationship breakup, change of job, or emotional imbalance due to the loss of a loved one, perhaps). Some want to re-establish better lifestyle habits, eliminate some unhealthy habits, and fulfill the need to reset themselves,” she adds. Over the years, Stewart says they’ve seen a rising number of guests experiencing pain, discomfort and other symptoms related to physical misalignment. Just this past November, she adds, Kamalaya introduced a new Structural Revival wellness program to help guests find solutions.
For more information, visit wellnesstourismassociation.org.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
10/05 22:45
The 52nd Oakland Greek Festival to take place this year on May 17-19
10/05 22:33
Thessaloniki Port pier extension expected to be given the green light in the fall
10/05 19:42
Hellenic President visits Greek community's premises and Cavafy's tomb in Alexandria
10/05 19:27
Greek and Swiss ministers meet in Athens on investments and cooperation
09/05 17:22
Red Arrows aerobatic team to perform in Athens suburb of Paleo Faliro on May 18
04/05 17:56
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
04/05 17:44
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
03/05 18:00
03/05 17:42
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
03/05 17:39
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
01/05 11:45
Euro 2004 Legends play FootGolf at Porto Carras Pro-Am Aegean Mini Tour
30/04 22:36
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
30/04 20:44
Hellenic Police launches 10201, a 24-hour hotline for protection of minors in Greece
30/04 19:42
Aegean Airlines to distribute dividend for the first time after four years
30/04 18:39
May Day strikes in Greece: Public transportation disruptions and Syntagma Metro station closure
30/04 18:31
Bank of Greece report: More than 30 million tourists visit the country during 2023
25/04 22:00
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
25/04 14:49
Prices of products in Easter Basket the same or lower in Greece than in 2023
25/04 13:57
25/04 12:44
Greece and China to ink cooperation protocols in the fisheries sector
25/04 09:53
Extended shop opening hours for Easter in Greece start on Thursday
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Red Arrows aerobatic team to perform in Athens suburb of Paleo Faliro on May 18
Hellenic President visits Greek community's premises and Cavafy's tomb in Alexandria
Greece opens another five Aegean Islands to Turkish visitors fast-track visas
Thessaloniki Port pier extension expected to be given the green light in the fall
Minister launches dynamic plan to boost Greece's relations with other countries
Greek and Swiss ministers meet in Athens on investments and cooperation
Athens transportation schedules over 2024 Greek Easter holidays announced
Aegean and Olympic Air to fly 'Holy Light' from Athens to the rest of Greece
The 52nd Oakland Greek Festival to take place this year on May 17-19
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
Greek FM talks with Kuwaiti counterpart on bilateral relations, regional cooperation
Visa entry express now available on five more Greek islands for Turkish citizens
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
Media report: Celebrate Christmas in Athens with holiday delights from East and West
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
ATHEX chief: Venture Capital for 'new generation' digital fintech solutions