With mental health disorders expected to affect half of the world’s population in their lifetime, the need for innovative and accessible solutions is pressing. Organizations like Mind Over Mountains and Blackdog Outdoors in the UK, and Hiking My Feelings in the US, have responded by creating travel retreats that merge outdoor pursuits with mental health support. These retreats fill a significant gap in the wellness space, offering a supportive environment for participants to engage in open discussions about their mental health challenges. Mind Over Mountains hosts free well-being walks and low-cost weekend retreats in national parks and Areas of Outstanding...

CHICAGO—Hyatt’s award-winning loyalty program, World of Hyatt, in collaboration with Headspace, the world’s most accessible and comprehensive mental health platform, debuts a new exclusive video series, Headspace’s Science Behind Sleep, presented by World of Hyatt, extending care for guests and members by providing access to expert and science-backed tips on how to get better sleep while traveling. The new sleep series is available in guestrooms at nearly 400 Hyatt hotels and within the Headspace app. Three-in-four consumers say that sleep quality is the most important factor when traveling and are more likely to take advantage of amenities designed to improve their sleep,...

GLENEDEN BEACH, ORE.—Salishan Coastal Lodge, a member of the Soul Community Planet (SCP) Hotels collection, is setting new benchmarks in Epic Experiences and Holistic Hospitality through its comprehensive approach to wellness, kindness, and environmental stewardship. “Having undergone a complete reinvention over the last five years, the enduring appeal of Salishan Coastal Lodge now shines brighter than ever. As this beloved destination approaches its 60th birthday, Salishan has once again been recognized as one of the Best Resorts in the West by Travel and Leisure Magazine,” said Ken Cruse, founder and CEO of SCP Hotels. “Holistic Hospitality values underscore all aspects of the new...

CHICAGO—Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Shebandowan Holdings, S.A. announced plans for Hotel La Compañía del Valle in Valle de Anton, Panamá, slated to open in early 2025. Located approximately 50 miles west of its sister hotel, Hotel La Compañía in Casco Antiguo, this new thought-provoking hotel will allow guests and World of Hyatt members to explore a new destination in central Panamá surrounded by biodiversity, mountains, and lush landscape. At its core, Hotel La Compañia del Valle will serve as an art and wellness house, inclusive of a one-of-a-kind sculpture park with art pieces around the corridors and hotel public areas...

PLANTATION, FLA.—A survey of travelers in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) reveals insightful data about travel aspirations, priorities, and emerging trends for 2025. The survey, conducted by Marriott International CALA in partnership with the market research firm Appinio, provides a comprehensive look at the evolving travel landscape across generations, offering valuable insights for travel providers and industry stakeholders. “At Marriott International, we are driven by our purpose of connecting people through the power of travel and remain deeply committed to understanding the evolving needs of travelers across our region,” said Brian King, President of Marriott International CALA. “As a...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Dr. Whitney Roban, Ph.D., a leading sleep expert, to launch a new sleep enhancing program designed to support the wellness routines of its guests, specifically those who experience “First Night Effect.” According to Dr. Roban, research has shown that when individuals travel to unfamiliar environments, such as hotel rooms, one half of the brain enters into a hyper vigilant state. This increased alertness disrupts the natural sleep cycle, particularly impacting the crucial slow wave deep sleep stage. This phenomenon is known as the “First Night Effect.” Dr. Roban has...

Wellness features have undoubtedly become a key differentiator in the hospitality industry in all markets for attracting guests and driving revenue. But some features may provide better returns on investment (ROI) than others and selecting the most suitable for a property requires a considered approach. The continuous evolution of wellness facilities, amenities, and services likely contributed to the whopping 18.1 percent annual growth the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) detected in the wellness real estate sector in 2020-23 and would also support the 15.8 percent annual expansion GWI predicts for 2024-29. The strong performance and rosy outlook of the sector have prompted...

The golden age of wellness tourism has arrived, and FINN Partners is assessing the gleam on the epoch with The Future of Wellness Tourism 2025, a new report compiled by the agency’s Global Travel Practice that was released at the Global Wellness Summit in St. Andrews, Scotland. Available for download on FINN Partners’ global website, The Future of Wellness Tourism 2025 provides a deep dive into trends that will define wellness tourism around the world in the years ahead. The 42-page report is loaded with data, expert insights, and on-the-ground examples of innovations conceived to satisfy the growing desire of travelers to experience wellness. Those...

EAST LONGMEADOW, MASS.—Having redefined workplace health and wellness with its recent human-centric office renovation, Excel Dryer, Inc., manufacturer of the XLERATOR Hand Dryer, is raising the bar once again with its launch of an exclusive continuing education program for design professionals. “Healthy Interiors: Using the WELL Building Standard to Design Commercial Spaces of the Future” focuses on a real-life renovation project integrating specific products to achieve WELL Certification. “Our office renovation broke barriers,” said Joshua Griffing, Director of Marketing and International Sales at Excel Dryer. “It was more than a renovation; it was a labor of love that invited us to underscore...

CHICAGO—Wellbeing is at the core of Hyatt’s purpose, and to further extend care to colleagues, Hyatt has announced a new collaboration with Mind Share Partners, a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so colleagues and organizations can thrive. Rooted in empathy and global colleague insights and feedback, this collaboration focuses on deepening Hyatt’s commitment to wellbeing by building a greater understanding around mental health, proactively seeking support when needed, and contributing to a mentally healthy workplace. “At Hyatt, our differentiated approach to wellbeing starts by actively listening to what truly matters to our colleagues and extends to...