Wellness Tourism Worldwide, a leading wellness travel business, has announced the release of its "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends of 2014."
The forecast is based on data collection and research conducted throughout the year that consolidated trends across several sectors and industries, and provides planners with some insights on how they can help keep traveling attendees healthy and well.
WTW's data and trend analysis included: site visits, literary review, surveys, interviews and feedback from consumers, travel trade, healthcare professionals, wellness experts and academia.
Camille Hoheb, wellness travel industry expert and founder of Wellness Tourism Worldwide, and Editor of the Wellness Travel Journal, noted, "The multi- dimensionality of wellness opens the door to a whole new world." She added, "This forecast will encourage consumers and business to think of vacation travel in new ways. Our data shows that consumers view vacations as an important way to improve health, happiness and productivity. Vacation trips are often a catalyst for transformation and consumers view wellness travel as a personal investment."
While last year's forecast focused on the impact of wellness on air transit, hotel accommodation and destinations; this year's report is focused on business and marketing strategy. The report, "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014: Boosting Sales & Maximizing Profits" will be released in January.
Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014:
Mind Matters
Consumers have caught on to mindful vacations that offer mental restoration. Practices learned on a trip such as meditation, yoga, qi going and journaling can be incorporated at home to help manage stress, improve cognitive capacity and maintain emotional equilibrium.
The Rise of Wellness Travel Agents
With the growing interest in trips to enhance mind, body and spirit, wellness tourism has created a new niche for travel agents to grow or expand their business while offering a personally and professionally rewarding career specialty.
La Local Vita
Consumers have developed a deeper appreciation for locally relevant and authentic experiences with an emphasis on living "la local vita" (the local life). Mindsets have shifted away from tourist behavior to a keen interest in community-based exploration where getting to know the locals in a meaningful way sweetens the experience.
Breaking Bread with Wellness
Food tourism is a big trend intersecting with wellness travel. In addition to the physical aspect of sustenance; food tours, cooking classes, agriculture and farm-to-table experiences speak to the emotional, social, intellectual and sustainable aspects of well-being.
Vacation RX
"Take 2 weeks and call me in the morning." Physicians are now prescribing vacations as an antidote from stress. Doctor's orders for physical activity in parks are also being written to help combat obesity and diabetes in children.
Looking for Personal Enrichment
With the understanding that wellness is more than fitness and nutrition, consumers are choosing trips that either focus solely on personal enrichment or as a part of their travel plans. In search of fulfillment and meaning, many consumers are viewing vacations, weekend getaways and retreats viewed as a catalyst for change.
Slow Travel
Have you ever felt pressured to run through your vacation checking off sites to see and things to do? Slow travel advocates changing the pace in order to sip, savor and revel in the vacation experience.
Affluent & Altruistic
Spurned by personal growth and discovery, affluent travelers value experiences connecting them to charitable causes and local communities. Volunteering on vacation has become increasingly popular and research shows altruism can improve well-being.
Burgeoning Secondary Wellness Market
There is a large segment of travelers who may not opt for wellness retreats or tours but are committed to maintaining their healthy lifestyle on the road. Air transit and hotels are investing resources to attract these guests that are both business and leisure travelers.
Spas on a Mission
The spa industry is staking a claim on wellness tourism and on wellness in general. Eager to shake the image of pampering for the affluent, spas are repacking and rebranding as wellness providers to attract a larger market.
For more information, including the infographic for "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014,” visit www.wellnesstourismworldwide.com.
