In the ever-evolving world of travel, a new trend has taken the industry by storm: wellness tourism. As people increasingly seek vacations that offer a break from the demands of their daily lives and prioritize their well-being, the demand for wellness-focused experiences has skyrocketed. This presents a golden opportunity for vacation rental property managers to cater to the growing market of wellness-minded travelers and take their vacation rental business to new heights.
In this blog, we will explore the rise of wellness tourism and discuss how property managers can capitalize on this trend to attract guests and grow their vacation rental business.
Understanding Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism is a rapidly growing segment within the travel industry that goes beyond traditional vacation experiences. It encompasses travel experiences that prioritize and promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are seeking opportunities to escape the stresses of daily life and prioritize self-care. As a result, they are actively looking for destinations and accommodations that offer a holistic approach to wellness, allowing them to relax, rejuvenate, and restore their overall well-being.
Unlike traditional tourism, wellness tourism focuses on enhancing one’s health and wellness. It involves activities and experiences that support a healthy lifestyle, such as spa treatments, fitness classes, meditation sessions, nature walks, healthy cuisine, and mindfulness practices. In addition, travelers seek destinations and accommodations that offer a tranquil and nurturing environment where they can detach from the demands of their daily routines and focus on self-care.
The popularity of wellness tourism has grown significantly in recent years, with more travelers prioritizing their health and well-being during their vacation experiences. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism market was valued at $639 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach $919 billion by 2022, demonstrating its immense market potential. Additionally, the Global Wellness Summit reported that wellness trips are now outpacing the overall tourism industry’s growth rate, signifying a shift in consumer preferences.
The surge in demand for wellness tourism can be attributed to various factors. One of the main drivers is the fast-paced and stressful nature of modern lifestyles. With high-stress levels and sedentary routines becoming the norm, people increasingly seek travel experiences prioritizing self-care and well-being. They crave an escape from their daily lives and yearn for destinations and accommodations that allow them to relax, rejuvenate, and foster personal growth.
These insights present a compelling opportunity for vacation rental property managers as the growing demand for wellness experiences signifies a lucrative market that can be tapped into. By catering to the needs and desires of health-conscious travelers, property managers can attract a new segment of guests who prioritize their well-being during their vacations. Additionally, offering wellness-oriented amenities and services allows property managers to set themselves apart from the competition and position their vacation rental properties as desirable destinations for those seeking a holistic and rejuvenating experience.
Incorporating Wellness Amenities
In wellness tourism, creating an environment that promotes relaxation and tranquility is key. As a vacation rental property manager, providing a peaceful and calming atmosphere within your properties is essential. Start by focusing on the fundamentals of a serene space. Pay attention to comfortable bedding, soft lighting, and soothing color schemes. Consider incorporating natural elements like plants, bamboo, or wood to enhance the ambiance. Additionally, blackout curtains or blinds can ensure a restful sleep for your guests. By creating serene spaces, you can offer a retreat where guests can unwind and recharge.
To cater to wellness-minded travelers, offering amenities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation is essential. Private spas, hot tubs, or saunas allow guests to indulge in self-care and pampering, helping them to release stress, soothe their muscles, and find moments of pure relaxation. Highlight these features in your property listings and showcase their benefits in terms of well-being and rejuvenation.
Using the healing power of nature is crucial in creating exceptional wellness experiences. Calming outdoor spaces within your vacation rental properties allow guests to connect with nature, breathe fresh air, and find solace in natural surroundings. Consider creating gardens or landscaped areas where guests can relax, meditate, or practice yoga. Additionally, providing walking trails, paths, or local recommendations for gentle exercise and exploration opportunities can further enhance the wellness experience for your guests.
Incorporating these outdoor wellness spaces creates a tranquil retreat where guests can find inner peace and rejuvenation. By embracing the healing power of nature and designing your properties with wellness in mind, you can provide an extraordinary experience for your guests and set your vacation rentals apart in the competitive market.
Partner with Wellness Professionals
Enhancing the wellness experience for your guests can be achieved by partnering with local spas or massage therapists to offer in-house services. By providing convenient access to rejuvenating treatments within the comfort of your vacation rental, you can elevate the level of relaxation and pampering for your guests.
In addition, collaborating with reputable professionals in the area ensures that your guests receive high-quality services, such as soothing massages, invigorating facials, or indulgent body treatments. Offering these on-site spa services adds value to your property and creates a memorable and convenient experience for your wellness-seeking guests.
Yoga and meditation have gained immense popularity due to its numerous physical and mental health benefits. By collaborating with experienced yoga or meditation instructors, you can offer on-site classes or retreats that cater to your guests’ desire for mindfulness and stress reduction. Create a serene space within your vacation rental property where guests can participate in group classes or even enjoy private sessions. The gentle movements, focused breathing, and mindful meditation techniques will allow your guests to find inner calm and enhance their overall well-being during their stay.
Prioritizing the health and well-being of your guests extends to their dining experience. By providing well-equipped kitchens in your vacation rental properties, you empower guests to prepare their own nutritious meals. Consider partnering with local organic markets or health food stores to allow guests to access fresh and organic ingredients. Providing a well-stocked pantry with essential cooking staples and promoting healthy recipes can further encourage guests to make conscious choices about their meals and support their well-being during their stay.
Recognizing that many guests prioritize maintaining an active lifestyle even while on vacation, offering fitness equipment and gear can be a significant value-add. Consider equipping your vacation rental property with exercise amenities such as yoga mats, resistance bands, or free weights. If you have sufficient space, you could create a dedicated fitness area where guests can engage in their workout routines.
By offering these fitness options, you provide guests the convenience and flexibility to maintain their active lifestyle while enjoying their vacation. Additionally, offering bicycles for guests to explore the surrounding area promotes both physical activity and an eco-friendly mode of transportation. Finally, by catering to health-conscious guests, you demonstrate your commitment to their overall well-being and provide opportunities for them to stay active and energized.
The Gather Difference
As a vacation rental property manager, embracing the rise of wellness tourism can unlock exciting opportunities for your business. By incorporating health-conscious amenities and services, you can attract a new wave of wellness-minded travelers seeking rejuvenation, relaxation, and overall well-being during their vacation. Offering options for healthy dining, fitness equipment, and mindfulness resources will enhance their experience and set your property apart in the competitive vacation rental market.
At Gather, we understand the importance of staying ahead of industry trends and catering to the evolving needs of travelers. Our specialized solutions and support are designed to help vacation rental property managers thrive in this dynamic industry. Whether you’re implementing eco-friendly practices, curating personalized wellness experiences, enhancing your property’s amenities, or maintaining high standards as your business grows, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact us today if you’re a vacation rental property manager looking to tap into the flourishing wellness tourism market and take your business to new heights. The Gather team is here to offer our expertise and comprehensive services that can help you attract more bookings, elevate guest experiences, and achieve sustainable success.
FAQs
What is the definition of wellness tourism? ›
What is wellness tourism? The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one's personal wellbeing.
What are the benefits of wellness travel? ›Wellness tourism may boost your happiness, lower everyday stress, and even improve heart and brain health.
How does wellness tourism help the local economy of our country? ›Wellness tourism helps to boost the economy and earning of the country foreign exchange. This may contribute to a country's revenue and offer employment and other business opportunities to the local community.
Which is the biggest market of wellness tourism? ›The U.S. accounts for more than one-third of all global wellness tourism revenues, and it is by far the largest national market.
What is an example of a wellness visit? ›During your wellness exam you may receive screening for cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, mammogram, pap test, osteoporosis, or STDs. Your doctor may ask you about current stress, physical activity, diet, or drug use such as tobacco and alcohol.
What is the growth of wellness tourism? ›How big is the wellness tourism market? b. The global wellness tourism market size was estimated at USD 814.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 923.6 billion in 2023.
What are at least 3 benefits of wellness? ›Research studies related to wellness indicate that Americans who take good care of themselves and make healthy lifestyle choices are healthier, happier, more productive, miss less work, and have lower healthcare costs.
What is the importance of vacation benefits? ›Studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and mental health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals.
What benefits tourism brings to individuals and society? ›Tourism boosts the revenue of the economy, creates thousands of jobs, develops the infrastructures of a country, and plants a sense of cultural exchange between foreigners and citizens. The number of jobs created by tourism in many different areas is significant.
What are the beneficial impacts of tourism on the economy? ›Economic Impacts
Tourism generates income for a variety of businesses and creates a wide range of employment opportunities. At the global scale, tourism is seen as one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries.
How will this tourism benefit the local environment? ›
In a number of destinations, tourism helps to ensure higher water quality and better protection of nature and local natural resources. It can generate additional resources to invest in environmental infrastructures and services.
Is wellness travel on the rise? ›Wellness travel is rising fast: 39% of high-income consumers have already booked a wellness trip/retreat through early 2023–as have 21% of millennials.
How big is the wellness travel industry? ›The global wellness tourism market is expected to grow from $718.50 billion in 2021 to $801.45 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5%.
Who is the target market for health and wellness? ›A recent study showed that the current age group most concerned about wellness is "Generation Z"-the under-20 crowd. People of any age can be health-conscious, but the majority of your audience will be in the 18-34 category. They are generally educated.
What are the 4 types of wellness? ›- Spiritual Wellness. Spiritual strength is that force that drives us to make sacrifices for others, our nation, and the greater good. ...
- Emotional Wellness. Emotional wellness refers to building an awareness of and accepting one's feelings and moods. ...
- Physical Wellness. ...
- Social Wellness.
- Physical Wellness.
- Emotional Wellness.
- Spiritual Wellness.
- Social Wellness.
- Intellectual Wellness.
- Occupational Wellness.
The National Wellness Institute promotes Six Dimensions of Wellness: emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Addressing all six dimensions of wellness in our lives builds a holistic sense of wellness and fulfillment. Developed by Dr.
Why the wellness business is booming? ›The wellness economy is growing as consumers intend to keep spending more on products and services that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.
How do I grow my wellness business? ›- Develop a Concept and Do Your Research. ...
- Know Your Audience. ...
- Get Qualified. ...
- Write a Business Plan. ...
- Create and Establish Your Brand. ...
- Think About Your Finances. ...
- Legal and Insurance Considerations. ...
- Nail Your Marketing Strategy.
Tourism brings both positive and negative effects on the health of local people. The short-term negative effects are related to the density of tourists' arrivals, traffic congestion, crowding, crime level, and other stressful factors.
What are the 5 points of wellness? ›
There are five main aspects of personal health: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. In order to be considered "well," it is imperative for none of these areas to be neglected.
What are the 3 most important dimensions of wellness? ›Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit (1).
How do you take advantage of vacation? ›- Go away. If you can afford it, be sure to go somewhere during your vacation. ...
- Communicate with your manager and co-workers. ...
- Plan ahead. ...
- Check your email. ...
- Exercise every day. ...
- Read at least one book. ...
- Do something different. ...
- Plan your next vacation.
- Planning is half the fun. ...
- Spread your vacation time across several trips. ...
- Book nonstop flights. ...
- Pick hotels in prime locations. ...
- Travel during non-peak times. ...
- Use holidays to squeeze out longer trips. ...
- Plan one trip per quarter. ...
- Visit hard-to-reach locations.
While vacationing may seem like a luxury, research reveals it is a necessity. Scientific evidence suggests that employees lead healthier, more productive lives by taking vacations. Despite this, many employees opt out of taking their vacation time.
What are 3 positive social impacts of tourism? ›Positive social impacts in tourism include learning about different cultures, increasing tolerance and inclusion through LGBTQ+ travel, increasing amenities (e.g., parks, recreation facilities), investment in arts and culture, celebration of Indigenous peoples , and community pride.
How would you promote or improve tourism in your community? ›Improve The Quality And Quantity Of Attractions
One of the most important aspects of attracting tourists is having a good selection of attractions. Make sure that your city or town has various interests – from historical landmarks to family-friendly activities and everything in between.
Thus, sustainable tourism should: Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.
How can we be more sustainable tourists? ›Ditch single-use plastics
Many of us are switching to sustainable options in our daily lives, and we can take the same attitude when we're on the road. By choosing reusable bottles and bags wherever you go, you can help ensure there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.
The 3 main principles of sustainable tourism
Just like sustainable development, sustainable tourism is based on 3 main principles: environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability.
What is the importance of tourism in your community? ›
It helps promote tolerance between people as they learn and better understand each other's cultures. Preserving heritage. Tourism can help protect and finance the preservation of historic and cultural sites, and even prompt the creation of new community initiatives.
Why is tourism important in life? ›Tourism offers great opportunities for emerging economies and developing countries. It creates jobs, strengthens the local economy, contributes to local infrastructure development and can help to conserve the natural environment and cultural assets and traditions, and to reduce poverty and inequality.
Why do we need to manage the tourism impact in tourism attraction? ›1. Helps in Conservation. Determining the economic, socio-cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism development will help in conservation because it can show the positive and negative effects.
What is the impact on tourism on the society and environment? ›Tourism often puts pressure on natural resources through over-consumption, often in places where resources are already scarce. Tourism puts enormous stress on local land use, and can lead to soil erosion, increased pollution, natural habitat loss, and more pressure on endangered species.
What is sustainable tourism in simple words? ›Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN Environment Program and UN World Tourism Organization as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
What is a wellness vacation? ›Wellness retreats are vacations that allow you to focus on your mental, physical, and emotional health while participating in fitness and meditation routines, healthy eating, and spa therapies.
What is travel wellness? ›The Wellness Tourism Association defines Wellness Travel as: Travel that allows the traveler to maintain, enhance or kick-start a healthy lifestyle, and support or increase one's sense of wellbeing.
How to do a wellness journey? ›- Set a goal for yourself. Being healthy isn't always about losing weight. ...
- Plan your meals. ...
- Drink more water. ...
- Reduce the salt in your diet. ...
- Cut down on alcohol. ...
- Exercise regularly. ...
- Get more sleep.
The global leisure travel market size was valued at $1,006.5 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $1,737.3 billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 22.6% from 2021 to 2027.By traveler type, the group segment garnered the highest leisure travel market share in 2019 and is expected to retain its dominance throughout ...
How big is the wellness industry in the US? ›It grew by 7.2% during the pandemic, reaching $131 billion in 2020. The United States is the largest market ($66.6 billion in 2020), followed by China, Japan, Canada, and Germany. The mental wellness market encompasses four sub-sectors: Senses, spaces, & sleep ($57.3 billion in 2020)
What is the world's largest travel industry? ›
The largest travel industry's segment is hotels. It's projected to contribute $198,643m to overall market volume in 2020.
Are wellness centers profitable? ›Yes, owning a wellness center can be very profitable. The types of services offered, the size of your business, and the location of your wellness center will all affect how profitable it is.
What are people looking for in wellness? ›our latest survey—which reached more than 2,000 US consumers—reconfirms the existence of several trends and shows growing consumer interest in wellness across six dimensions: health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.
What is the fastest growing health and wellness company? ›- Meditopia. 5-year search growth: 3900% ...
- Eight Sleep. 5-year search growth: 675% ...
- Included Health. 5-year search growth: 5100% ...
- Noom. 5-year search growth: 229% ...
- Zwift. 5-year search growth: 111% ...
- Sun Genomics. ...
- FitXR. ...
- Healios.
Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving. To understand the significance of wellness, it's important to understand how it's linked to health.
What were the three definitions of wellness? ›Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressing our feelings, and understanding the feelings of others. Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purpose in human existence. Social: Connecting and engaging with others and our communities in meaningful ways.
What is leisure tourism? ›Leisure tourism refers to take a break from daily routine life. Leisure tourists usually enjoy beauty and nice hotels and resorts, enjoy atmosphere of beaches. The most popular activities of leisure tourism include social tours, cultural tours, religious tours, family tours, sports tours, and medical tours.
What are the 6 definitions of wellness? ›The National Wellness Institute promotes Six Dimensions of Wellness: emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual. Addressing all six dimensions of wellness in our lives builds a holistic sense of wellness and fulfillment.
What are the 5 components of wellness define? ›There are five main aspects of personal health: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. In order to be considered "well," it is imperative for none of these areas to be neglected.
What are the wellness strategies? ›Practice healthy habits and self-care. Get a healthy amount of sleep, eat well and move or exercise regularly. Take breaks to ease your mind and distract yourself from worrying. Go for a walk.
What are the 3 essential elements in a wellness approach? ›
Nutrition, exercise, and appropriate health care. These make up the physical dimension of wellness.
What are the 3 factors which influence wellness? ›About wellbeing
It's a complex combination of a person's physical, mental, emotional and social health factors.
Leisure tourism is a broad category that can encompass many different things: adventure tourism, ecotourism, cultural tourism, urban tourism, and more. Leisure tourism is simply defined as tourism during your free time, in which you relax and experience a different environment than your own.
What is an example of leisure tourism? ›Some examples of leisure tourism include: Beach tourism – visiting coastal destinations for sun, sand, and water activities. Adventure tourism – engaging in activities such as hiking, skiing, and whitewater rafting in natural environments.
Why is leisure important in tourism? ›The combination of Leisure and need for recreation are vital to the process of tourism. The interplay shapes the tourism product. Free time is time spent away from the business, work, job hunting, domestic chores and education. It also excludes time spent on necessary activities such as eating and sleeping.
What are the 7 elements of wellness examples? ›Wellness is commonly viewed as having seven dimensions: mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational. These dimensions are interdependent and influence each other. When one dimension of our well-being is out of balance, the other dimensions are affected.
What are the 9 things of wellness? ›This is total wellness, in all of its nine dimensions: physical, emotional, financial, spiritual, social, career, intellectual, creative and environmental. These dimensions build on each other and support each other.
What is meant by 8 types of wellness? ›Wellness comprises of eight mutually co-dependence dimensions: emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial. If any one of these dimensions is neglected over time, it will adversely affect one's health, well-being, and quality of life.