| The basics are those things commonly associated with a wellness lifestyle: healthy food, movement in the form of yoga, fitness or other activities, some form of rest and relaxation, access to spaces conducive to peace and quiet, something to soothe the mind (time in nature, meditation, etc.), and a good night’s sleep. Beyond that, wellness travel is subject to special interest and special intentions, goals, and objectives.
When clients are planning a wellness vacation or wellness retreat and sifting through the growing number of options available, it’s important to give some thought to the INTENT. As a travel agent, your goal is to identify your clients’ needs, wants, and intentions of a trip. What are they looking to achieve? What is their intention, goal, or objective? Having full understanding of their intention will help you identify and build the “right fit” vacation for your client. Check out the following 5 wellness travel trends and consider enrolling in The Travel Institute’s online Wellness Travel course.
1. Going Solo
Traveling solo is an increasingly popular way to see the world. And, when it comes to taking a wellness vacation, it may very well be the best way to go. A past Wellness Travel Association poll revealed that most respondents reported a preference for travel alone or individual travel with the like-minded.
2. Rise in Newcomers
A combination of consumer surveys and data from major wellness properties and resorts show that the growth of first timers is a trend, especially as consumers become more aware of the importance of taking charge of their own health. Supporting this trend, for instance, Pritikin in Miami and Canyon Ranch both reported that approximately half their guests were first timers. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, reported that 95% of the people who attend their all-inclusive retreats had not previously participated in a wellness retreat.
3. Greater Flexibility with Length of Stays
While many wellness travelers size up their perfect length of stay as three to five nights, others prefer a full week. Some wellness properties are seeing guests staying two weeks and even longer in order to make a significant impact on their health.
4. Mental Health Matters
Consumers are looking to take a break from their busy, stressful lives and give their minds a time out (i.e., a break to reconnect with self). Wellness properties are finding that guests may come to them for yoga and fitness but leave with a better sense of their own mental health. And it is the programming around mindfulness that sometimes ends up being the part of the retreat they enjoy best.
5. Demand for Specific Solutions
Consumers are becoming more aware of the value associated with a true wellness vacation that is planned with a specific goal and carefully researched to ensure the right fit prior to booking. They are looking for solutions to such issues as stress and stress-related symptoms, sleep problems, achieving a healthy weight and developing a more balanced life.
It is an exciting evolution that consumers are beginning to see the true value of using vacation time – away from the daily hassles of everyday life – to be proactive in their own health care. This is the new luxury. |
