When you hear the word “wellness,” what comes to mind? According to a recent study, “The Global Wellness Tourism Economy,” wellness is a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” If you are not familiar with wellness travel, you should be. According to the aforementioned study conducted by SRI International in agreement with the Global Spa & Wellness Summit, wellness tourism is a near half-trillion dollar market, representing 14 percent of total global tourism revenues ($3.2 trillion) overall. The category is projected to grow on average 9.9 percent annually over the next five years, nearly twice the rate of global tourism overall, reaching $678.5 billion by 2017, or 16 percent of total tourism revenues.
According to the study, there are basically two types of wellness travelers. The first is the Primary Purpose Wellness Traveler, for whom wellness is the sole purpose for their trip and destination choice. The second is the Secondary Purpose Wellness Traveler, who seeks to maintain fitness while taking any type of trip.
How well are you reaching out to and meeting the needs of this growing group of travelers? Wellness travelers seek out spas but there are many other interest areas: fitness centers, organic and natural restaurants, yoga, music and arts, parks and wildlife sanctuaries, hiking, biking, etc. If you cannot offer these on your own property, how well are you directing wellness travelers to places where they can enhance their health?
United States Benefits Greatly from Wellness Tourism
According to the study, wellness tourism currently generates $93.4 billion a year for global lodging establishments. Countries that receive the most international inbound wellness tourism arrivals include: United States, France, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Countries that have the most domestic wellness tourism trips include: United States, Germany, Japan, China, and France.
Driving wellness tourism is a group of middle-aged travelers who tend to be more affluent and concerned about complementary and alternative medicine; nutrition and weight-loss; spa, fitness and mind-body activities; beauty and anti-aging, and preventive and personalized health.
The study says that a wide variety of private and public sector entities have a stake in wellness tourism and can partner together to advance these opportunities. In hospitality and tourism these stakeholders include hotels/resorts; tourism attractions/destinations; restaurants; and retail. To what degree has your property partnered with “like-minded” businesses to target the wellness traveler?
Interestingly, the study authors say new and varied business models are emerging to meet the wellness needs of travelers—including “Healthy Hotels.” Just what is a Healthy Hotel? The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program and other certification programs and standards address this to some degree, as well as concepts such as PURE rooms and Stay Well rooms, but it is a topic that needs more discussion.
Having not followed the wellness tourism market in the past, I was shocked at its size and growth rate. My strong suspicion is that wellness travelers are also more concerned about the environment and sustainability than other traveler types. That is good news for those promoting their properties as “green.”
Got comments about wellness tourism? I can be reached at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Green Lodging News Adds GE Lighting as Founding Sponsor
Green Lodging News welcomes GE Lighting as a Founding Sponsor. GE Lighting offers next-generation, energy-efficient lighting and intelligent devices for the hospitality industry. GE Lighting partners with hospitality professionals to create lighting plans that get the most out of every space. The company’s comprehensive portfolio allows customers to maximize energy savings, minimize maintenance and add to LEED credits. GE Lighting solutions are ideal for lobbies to lounges, guestrooms to garages, and ballrooms to back-of-house. All while minimizing maintenance and maximizing energy savings for an exceptional return on investment.
GE Lighting has helped save as much as $2 million a year in lighting energy costs alone with energy-efficient upgrades. GE Lighting works with its clients from project inception to installation and beyond—to identify problems, design solutions and execute them expertly to enhance the customer experience. See case studies that summarize what GE Lighting has done for others, and request a free Lighting Energy Audit at gelighting.com/hospitality. Call Heather W. Coode at (216) 266-2539 or e-mail heather.e.wilson@gelighting.com for more information.
Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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