Wellness travel demand on the rise

The well-being industry is seeing a considerable increase with 39 per cent of high-income consumers, millennials included, already having reservations for a wellness retreat for the beginning of 2023.

 

According to a recent Accenture survey, 11.000 consumers from 16 countries believe that health is “essential” while on holiday, accounting for 33 per cent more wellness enthusiasts when compared to last year’s figures.

“There is a huge opportunity here for travel and consumer-facing companies to tap into ecosystem partnerships and the local communities to offer differentiated experiences.

“[Well-being is] less an indulgence and more of a non-negotiable essential for today’s consumers, even at a time when many are feeling financial pressures. [Wellness is] an extension of the values and lifestyle of the traveller,” commented Emily Weiss, senior managing director at Accenture.

As forecasts show an annual 21 percent industry increase by 2025, according to the Global Wellness Institute, the hospitality sector is starting to adjust to customers demand.

“People are starting to travel again, and they’re looking for healthier ways to travel. They are really starting to invest more in their self-care and their health. I think that is reflected in travel,” Vacayou startup’s CEO Muirgheal Montecalvo explained, as nowadays travellers aim to “get out into the open into the national parks”, for fresh-air holidays following the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, Montecalvo added:

“People are starting to travel again, and they’re looking for healthier ways to travel.

“Throwing a yoga class into a hotel doesn’t make you a wellness hotel. It’s really important to us that we vet the resorts [to ascertain] that they truly are wellness properties. I’m not going to mention any hotel chains. But there are a few that were out there saying they’re a wellness chain, and they’re really not.”

Resorts and booking apps are also keeping up with clients preferences, as most of Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted.

“Travellers [are] eager to immerse themselves in positive, healthy and enriching experiences. We saw many guests book our more results-driven programs [focused on fitness and healing].

“During the pandemic we all began to look at the quality of our lives and evaluate our various lifestyles. Many of us realized the benefits of self-care and living a healthier lifestyle. [...]

“From our perspective, we are happily on track to grow our brand, awareness and business. However, with the current economic climate, we step forward with eyes wide open and continue to flex as needed,” Diana Stobo, founder and owner of The Retreat Costa Rica, declared.

According to Stobo, wellness vacations demand increased considerably among women between 28 and 35 years of age, as well as for reiki and meditation classes. Vegan and vegetarian retreat experiences were also found to become more popular.

“We have also witnessed a dynamic shift toward family travel to the Maldives versus only honeymoons that were symbolic of the destination in the past.

“Reunions with family and friends have also become very popular, and we are already witnessing this emerging trend at our resorts through an increase in multi-generational travellers coming to stay at Soneva,” also commented Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder and CEO of Soneva.

As wellness getaways become more and more popular across the globe, technology is another important asset of the industry, expected to boost overall experience for guests of all ages.

 

Source: phocuswire.com