Wellness tourism is distinct from medical tourism. In the former, the travel is related to improving or maintaining a person’s health and quality of life while in the latter the travel is primarily to get treatment for a diagnosed medical condition.
The Growing Industry of Wellness Tourism
Today, people are more conscious of their wellness and have the disposable income to embark on a wellness related trip. As a result, it has given wellness tourism a boost and the hospitality sector is now catering to this growing chunk of travelers. It is common to find fitness facilities in hotels and many also provide yoga mats in their rooms.
However, it is not just hotels that are catering to the needs of wellness tourists. Even airports now have indoor green spaces, meditation rooms, organic restaurants, massage chairs, and walking tracks to help these tourists enjoy wellness and well-being while they wait in the airport for their onward flight.
A reported titled Global Wellness Tourism Economy by the Global Wellness Institute reveals that wellness tourism will at 7.5% annual until 2022 while global tourism will grow at an annual rate of 6.4%. These figures reveal how wellness tourism across the world is booming.
Popular Destinations for Wellness Tourism
While there are many cities and towns across the world that offer wellness tourism, some tend to be more popular than others. For instance, in Hawaii, Maui is renowned for its award-winning spa at Grand Wailea. It was voted as one of the top 10 spas in the US by Travel + Leisure. The Grand Spa attracts affluent visitors from the US, Canada, Latin America, and Europe, who come to spend time in the 50,000-square-foot spa for wellness treatments and activities. In addition, visitors can also go to the beach and enjoy paddle boarding, snorkeling, kayaking, and beach yoga.
