Wellness tourism, as a mechanism to support overall well-being, comes in a variety of forms.
These types of trips and health-forward activities arent going anywhere anytime soon.
These days, the wellness-travel offerings are practically endless.
How Wellness Tourism Works
Do you ever feel like youneed a vacationafter a vacation?
That may not be the case with wellness tourism.
It can allow you to de-stress and relax without any, or few, distractions.
All that goes out the door when you travel.
These experiences can help you return home feeling refreshed and better equipped to handle day-to-day stressors, Lorandini notes.
The WTA offers amember directorywhere you might find vetted travel advisers who specialize in wellness tourism.
Types of Wellness Tourists
According to the GWI, wellness tourists fall into two main categories.
Primary
This traveler is mainly motivated by wellness when choosing their trip or destination.
Moreover, existing research primarily focuses on general travel, not wellness tourism.
That said, we may be able to pinpoint a few potential benefits of wellness travel.
It May Boost Happiness
New experiences and changes in scenery can give some people a mood boost.
And the stress-relieving benefits of this kind of travel are almost immediate.
Time spent disconnected from daily stressful situations can also lower your overall stress once you return home.
Even a short trip (including to local venues) can potentially offer lasting stress relief.
While both groups noticed immediate improvements in stress and well-being, the hotel cohort saw greater benefits.
Whats more, the positive effects could still be felt 45 days post-vacation.
It May Improve Heart Health
The stress-lowering effects of travel may have benefits for your heart.
More research is needed to determine if and how travel benefits the heart and mortality risk.
If you have a heart condition, be sure to consult your physician before you take a trip.
Wellness Tourism Risks
Travel of any kind comes with risks.
Traveling with a medical condition can also be risky.
Given the nature of being outside of your daily comfort zone, wellness tourism may be a stressful experience.
People with chronic conditions dont necessarily need to avoid travel.
But there are plenty of budget-friendly wellness-travel options out there, Dimon says.
Just keep in mind that whats considered affordable to one traveler may not be to another.
Creativity and wellness tourism go hand in hand.
With endless options available, you’re able to craft a wellness trip to fit any budget.
4 Tips for Getting Started With Wellness Tourism
1.
Start Small
You dont have to spend a lot of money or time to be a wellness tourist.
Check out the area youll be visiting to see if there are any wellness supportive experiences youd enjoy.
Consider yoga studios, hiking trails, healthy breakfast spots, spas, hot springs, and cooking classes.
If you dont have a trip scheduled, consider planning a self-guided wellness vacation.
Find Inspiration
Wellness tourism offers so many possibilities that its easy to feel overwhelmed.
Where should you go?
Should you sign up for a weekend retreat or take a stab at DIY?
Asking friends and family for recommendations is always a good first step.
Use this and other online travel resources to help you discern what wellness experience fits you.
(Also, see our wellness travel resources section at the end of this article for more.)
Identify Your Why
Whats your reason or your why for taking a wellness trip?
Or do you want to learn more about yourself, a culture, practice, or activity?
The WTA offers adirectory of travel adviserswho offer wellness-travel guidance.
Findinformation about wellness tourismon their website and sign up for email updates.
U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association is a national nonprofit organization representing the travel industry.
They offer research, news, and commentary to keep you informed while you plan your trip.
The WTA is a great place to search for wellness retreats, destinations, and travel advisers.
Travel to Wellness
Travel to Wellness is an online wellness travel magazine founded by Anne Dimon in 2004.
