Wellness Tourism Jumps, Approaches $500 Billion

Wellness tourism continues to grow at an unprecedented pace, according to the 2014 Global Spa and Wellness Economy Monitor.

The report, prepared by SRI International on behalf of the Global Wellness Institute, notes that wellness tourism grew by 12.7 percent in 2013, surpassing 2012’s growth rate of 9 percent. Overall, wellness tourism expenditures reached $494 billion in 2013. That surpasses the preventative and personalized health market ($432.7 billion) and draws close to the healthy eating, nutrition and weight loss market ($574.2 billion).

Spurred by an increased awareness of the importance of healthy living, wellness tourism is blossoming, and major hospitality brands have taken notice. In fact, according to the monitor, supply and demand of wellness tourism go hand in hand, as the increase of wellness options within the hospitality industry has only increased the popularity of wellness tourism.

Major hospitality brands and companies that now include options for the wellness market include Westin, Le Meridien, InterContinental, MGM Resorts International, Crowne Plaza, Marriott, Four Seasons, Four Points by Sheraton, Radisson Blu, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Movenpick, Novotel, Shangri-la, Sheraton and Pullman. Wellness options include healthier menus and locally sourced ingredients, improved gym equipment offerings and the increase in auxiliary wellness offerings such as running shoes, yoga classes and in-room instructional videos.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts got a jumpstart on the market way back in 2006 when the dedicated wellness brand Element by Westin was announced (hotels officially opened in 2008). Element has expanded beyond North America to Germany this year.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has also recognized an opportunity to capitalize on the flourishing market, unveiling the first property under its dedicated wellness brand, Even Hotels, in June 2014. IHG plans to open 100 more properties under the Even Hotels brand within five years.

Even Las Vegas, a destination not traditionally known as a health and wellness hotspot, has begun to cater to wellness tourism. MGM Grand’s “Stay Well” rooms, developed by Delos Living and introduced in 2012, have been a rousing success, complete with Vitamin C showers, healthy in-room menus, aromatherapy, a “Stay Well” channel hosted by Dr. Deepak Chopra, access to Cleveland Clinic wellness software, air purification and water filtration systems and even “dawn simulator” alarm clocks that gradually wake guests up.

There is still room for improvement with the segment still in its infancy, via the report. For example, some aspects still have yet to be largely incorporated, such as indoor air quality systems, responsible chemical use, healthy cleaning practices, the management of indoor contaminants and overall environmental quality. This was backed up by the Healthy Hotels Program, which provides industry and consumer guidance on indoor environmental quality. 

It should also be noted that the grand majority of wellness travelers don’t travel solely for wellness offerings. “Secondary wellness trips,” defined as trips taken to partially include wellness experiences, constitute 87 percent of wellness tourism trips and 84 percent of the $494 billion expenditure.

Despite the grand numbers, there is still a great opportunity for further growth in wellness tourism as the travel industry begins to incorporate more offerings into the mix.