COSTA RICA—With the demand for wellness tourism accelerating, The Retreat Costa Rica, an acclaimed luxury wellness boutique resort and spa, has embarked on an ambitious $3 million expansion, adding 26,500 square feet encompassing a clubhouse, three restaurants and 10 luxury lofts—all poised for completion late April 2025. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness market is gaining rapid ground and expected to reach $9 trillion by 2028—data that has relevance for The Retreat Costa Rica Founder Diana Stobo, whose property has been named one of the Top Ten Spa Destinations in the World by Conde Nast Traveler. “With increasing numbers of...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Wellness tourism is a dynamic and rapidly expanding segment of the global travel industry, reshaping how individuals approach travel by prioritizing self-care, personal enrichment, and transformative experiences. According to the Global Wellness Institute, this sector, defined as “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being,” was projected to reach an impressive $1.3 trillion by 2025. The Farm at San Benito, celebrated as one of the world’s premier medical wellness destinations, has been a pioneer in the Philippine wellness tourism industry since 2002. Nestled in Lipa City, Batangas, this eco-luxury healing sanctuary offers medically supervised retreats...

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA—Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica is positioning itself as a global leader in health and wellness tourism, combining its rich cultural heritage and natural resources to attract travelers seeking transformative experiences. The Minister shared this ambitious vision at the 6th Annual Jamaica Health and Wellness Tourism Conference, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. The event, themed “Beyond the Horizon: Embracing Innovation in Health and Wellness Tourism,” brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore opportunities in this fast-growing sector. “Today’s travelers seek more than leisure; they are searching for experiences that enhance their physical, mental, and emotional...

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...