The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal wellbeing.
With so much unwellness embedded in today’s travel, wellness tourism brings the promise of combating those negative qualities and turning travel into an opportunity to maintain and improve our holistic health.
What is wellness tourism?
“The definition of wellness travel has changed dramatically over the last decade, it is no longer just about only yoga retreats or beautiful spa holidays. It’s any travel experience that a visitor chooses to maintain or enhance their own wellbeing. For some it may be active pursuits such as kayaking, yoga, hiking or retreats, for others it may be more passive and simply a connection to nature, mindfulness or seeking healthy local fresh food experiences while traveling”.
“Wellness travel can have a positive impact not only on the individual traveller but also local communities, destinations and the planet overall.”
Katherine Droga Chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s, Wellness Tourism Initiative
Wellness tourism is the powerful intersection of two large and growing industries: the $2.6 trillion tourism industry and the $4.2 trillion wellness industry. Holistic health and prevention are increasingly at the centre of consumer decision-making, and people now expect to continue their healthy lifestyles and wellness routines when they are away from home.
Global Wellness Institute
Wellness tourism is a type of tourism activity which aims to improve and balance all of the main domains of human life including physical, mental, emotional, occupational, intellectual and spiritual. The primary motivation for the wellness tourist is to engage in preventive, proactive, lifestyle enhancing activities such as fitness, healthy eating, relaxation, pampering and healing treatments.
World Health Organisation
Why is Wellness Tourism so popular?
A wellness holiday can make a difference. You not only have the chance to escape from the stresses of daily life, but can stimulate your mind in a beautiful location and learn healthier habits. It's a great chance to not just relax, but also to improve your physical and emotional well-being.
A wellness holiday is the chance to embrace the opportunity, where self-care and exercise is not a chore, but a fun experience where you can make the most of the beautiful surroundings.
Wellness travellers pursue diverse services, including physical fitness and sport activities, beauty session, programs promoting healthy eating and/or weight management programs; relaxation and stress relief: including meditation, yoga, tai chi and mindfulness and health-related and complementary medicine sessions or therapies such as Reflexology, Naturopathy, Kinesiology, Acupuncture, Massage, Homeopathy, Ayurvedic etc.
Even before Covid but even more so now: People are now wanting more nature escapes then big city getaways.
People are realising that holidays aren’t just about sitting on the beach or exploring a new place, people want to immerse themselves more in nature and places that will make them feel happier and healthier. Idyllic views, nature walks etc. They also realise they want to include wellness aspects to their time away, realising that their holidays are about rest and relaxation but also rejuvenation and transformation. They want to discover new experiences and these are now more around their health and wellbeing. (their physical, mental and emotional health). People are looking for travel experiences that don’t just last the time they are away but have long lasting effects. (i.e they make take up meditation or yoga at home, they may learn new relaxation strategies or experience self-discovery or transformation while on their trip away.
Source: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GWI_FACT_SHEET_LEISURE-TRAVEL_2020.pdf
Wellness tours with Revitalise Escapes
Revitalise Escapes tours are located at the awe-inspiring Victoria’s Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula.
These tours are wonderful for the mind, body and soul.
Escaping from your daily grind this getaway will invigorate your body, nurture your mind and replenish your soul. Revitalise Escapes offer the perfect balance of breathtaking destinations, rejuvenating activities, healthy, nourishing food experiences and reconnecting with self.
You will return home feeling relaxed, inspired and refreshed.
Guests are able to really focus on their own wellness journey whether it is spending time in nature or taking part in practices such as yoga, meditation, thermal springs or sound healing. Taking part in one of these tours will be a transformative experience, enabling guests to immerse themselves in the region’s natural beauty, whilst engaging in exciting and innovative wellness activities. Designed to restore their mind and body through relaxation programs, they will finally have time to recalibrate and relax.
Their ‘reconnection to self’ will feel truly wonderful. As their energy shifts and awakens, new or long-lost parts of themselves will be revealed. They will explore and discover new experiences, while feeling refreshed, relaxed and energised.
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