How wealthy travellers have turned ‘wellness tourism’ into US$639 billion industry

As the wellness industry continues its explosive growth, it should not come as a surprise that it is now expanding into another huge industry: tourism.

Wealthy travellers are ditching the beach parties and all-night clubbing and instead spending their money on wellness summits, spirituality retreats and resorts that focus on self-care.

The move has turned “wellness tourism” into a US$639 billion industry, according to the 2018 Global Wellness Tourism Economy study.

While yoga retreats are nothing new, the growth of the wellness tourism industry has been surging in recent years, with estimates predicting the industry will be worth US$919 billion by 2022.

There is now even a Wellness Tourism Association, which was launched in January 2018 by a group of wellness-industry executives.

Travellers are now paying US$1,400 per night to stay at resorts with on-site therapists and spending more than US$5,000 for weekend “wellness summits”.

Sarah Casewit, co-founder of Naya Traveler, which specialises in customised holiday itineraries, said the company has received “a spike in travel requests that are spearheaded by a keen interest in wellness and spirituality”.

These wellness itineraries may come in the form of on-site therapists, personal trainers and wellness practitioners, such as those offered at Chiva-Som, a celebrity-favourite wellness retreat in Thailand.

A stay at Chiva-Som starts at about US$1,400 per night and the resort requires a minimum three-night stay.

There are also the pricey “wellness summits”, where travellers can mingle with celebrities at wellness workshops and self-care stations.