How the Growth of Wellness Tourism Market Is Transforming Travel

The global wellness tourism sector has emerged as a pivotal force in reshaping the hospitality industry. By merging traditional tourism with health-centered activities, this sector addresses the growing demand for experiences that enhance well-being. Industry professionals must understand current market trends and adopt forward-looking strategies to integrate wellness across the travel ecosystem

What is Wellness Tourism?

This market refers to the notion of traveling with the goal of improving or maintaining personal well-being, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

In a world where travel often comes with stress and unhealthy habits, wellness centred vacations offer a way to counter those downsides, transforming trips into opportunities to support and enhance overall health.

This travel phenomena represents a sub-sector of the overall wellness industry, projected to hit a staggering $8.5 trillion in 2027 after reaching $5.5 trillion in 2022. These figures depict an annual growth rate of 8.6% for the wellness industry as a whole.

How it Differs to Health Tourism

Wellness tourism and medical tourism are often confused, both by consumers and in destination marketing, due to unclear terminology and inconsistent definitions used by organizations and agencies. Indeed, hospitality is present in both wellness and medical settings but there are some key differentiators to note.

The term “health tourism” is sometimes used broadly to describe everything from surgeries and dental care to yoga retreats and spa visits, adding to the misunderstanding. However, these two sectors serve distinct purposes and audiences.

A helpful way to differentiate them is by viewing health and wellness on a continuum:

• On one end is poor health, injury, and illness, which are addressed by medical treatments. Medical tourism involves traveling for healthcare services like surgeries or dental care, often for cost, quality, or accessibility reasons.
• On the other end is wellness, which focuses on proactive practices to maintain health, reduce stress, and enhance well-being. Wellness travel revolves around activities like spa retreats, yoga, or fitness programs.

While there is some overlap, such as with DNA testing or health checkups, the goals, services, and customer needs in wellness and medical tourism are generally very different. Both sectors may rely on local tourism infrastructure, but they operate in separate spaces.

The Self-Care Movement

The self-care movement has surged in recent years, becoming an essential part of daily life for a growing number of consumers. According to McKinsey, approximately 82% of U.S. consumers now consider wellness a top priority, marking a significant rise from previous years.

This shift is driving a greater emphasis on preventative wellness as individuals seek to combat burnout and proactively manage their well-being.

Practices such as meditation, breathwork, and hot and cold therapies have gained widespread popularity, with more people integrating these routines into their lifestyles to improve mental clarity, reduce stress, and enhance overall health.

Getting to Know the Wellness Traveler Segment

Wellness travelers are often stereotyped as an exclusive, affluent group who frequent luxury spas, health retreats, or yoga getaways. However, in reality, this group is far more diverse, encompassing a wide range of motivations, interests, and values. Wellness travelers can generally be categorized into two groups:

• Primary wellness travelers: These individuals choose their trip or destination with wellness as their main focus and purpose.
• Secondary wellness travelers: These travelers prioritize maintaining their wellness routines or exploring wellness activities while on a trip, whether it’s for leisure or business purposes.

This broader perspective highlights that with the growth of the wellness travel industry, the appeal has broadened to a more mainstream audience, beyond the traditional stereotypes.

Younger Generations Redefining Wellness Spending

This trend is particularly evident among Gen Z and Millennials, who outspend the overall average on health and wellness purchases, according to a McKinsey survey. This reflects a strong generational shift toward proactive health management and a growing demand for innovative wellness solutions.

McKinsey segments the wellness market into six key categories: health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness—all experiencing robust growth as consumers seek to enhance their physical and mental well-being. Younger generations, in particular, are driving demand for digital wellness solutions, personalized health tracking, and mental well-being tools, reshaping the industry landscape and setting new standards for the future of wellness consumption.

Wellness Market Growth Areas

The 3 biggest projected growth areas of wellness are:;

1. Wellness Real Estate (+17.4% annually): communities built around hollistic health and wellbeing; “healthy buildings” e.g. mutli-functional offices and residential properties with in-built wellness, social spaces and sports facilities.
2. Mental Wellness (+12.8% annually): sleep and meditation products; stress reduction tech; functional F&B products; vitamins and supplements.
3. Wellness Tourism (+16.6% annually): elevated wellness services in hospitality settings such as luxury gyms; health resorts; destination spas; wellness touchpoints in airports; convergence of fitness & wellness brand products in hospitality venues.

Market Insights

Here are the critical insights driving the sector forward:

1. Long-term Growth in Wellness Tourism. Over the past decade, wellness tourism has seen exponential growth which is projected to continue, reflecting a heightened global awareness of health and well-being. This surge is attributed to travelers’ desire for personalized experiences that cater to both physical health and mental rejuvenation.
2. Regenerative Practices are setting a new standard in tourism, ensuring long-term sustainability that benefits both the environment and the communities involved. Initiatives such as eco-friendly accommodations and locally-sourced wellness treatments enrich natural habitats and protect cultural heritage while offering meaningful, immersive experiences to travelers.
3. Holistic Offerings in wellness retreats go beyond standard services. They include nutritious food options, tailored programs in yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, designed to meet the diverse needs of health-conscious travelers. These offerings create a sense of balance and renewal, aligning with individuals’ goals for physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Hotels Meeting Rising Demand

The demand for wellness-focused travel is no longer a niche phenomenon; it is a robust movement reshaping guest expectations and operational priorities in hospitality.

Businesses that integrate wellness practices into their services not only elevate guest satisfaction but also solidify their competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market.

Guests today seek destinations that transcend leisure and foster personal development, offering meaningful connections to local culture, nature, and self-discovery.

Implementing wellness strategies also aligns with broader values like sustainability and social responsibility. By adopting regenerative tourism models, businesses can meet the dual goals of enhancing guest experiences while contributing to a healthier planet.

What is Your Unique Wellness Offer?

Wellness travel is far from a one-size-fits-all experience. Each destination brings its own unique take on wellness, shaped by local traditions, natural surroundings, culture, and cuisine.

While some travelers might be content with a simple massage or fitness class, today’s more discerning wellness enthusiasts—especially millennials—crave authentic and distinctive experiences that reflect the spirit of the destination.

For example, Finland is renowned for its traditional saunas, offering a unique way to relax while embracing the country’s long-standing cultural practice.

Meanwhile, California is home to a variety of weight-loss and detox retreats, blending cutting-edge wellness science with excellent hikes and the glamorous health and fitness scene.

In Turkey, the iconic Turkish baths provide a rejuvenating, centuries-old cleansing ritual that immerses travelers in both wellness and history.

India offers a spiritual dimension to wellness, with meditation and yoga retreats that draw on ancient traditions designed to nourish the mind, body, and soul.

On the other hand, Costa Rica combines wellness with nature through its rainforest spa retreats, where treatments often incorporate native plants and the calming sounds of the jungle.

Every destination has something special to offer, whether it’s healing minerals in local waters, culinary traditions using fresh, local ingredients, or architecture that reflects a region’s heritage.

These authentic experiences ensure that no two wellness trips are ever the same, making each journey as unique as the traveler themselves.

Create Integrated Experiences via Partnerships

As competition in the wellness travel market intensifies, businesses must move beyond standard wellness offerings and explore creative ways to integrate well-being into memorable experiences.

Hotels are partnering with wellness brands to offer exclusive retreats, while tour operators are designing itineraries that combine adventure with mindfulness, such as guided meditative hikes or wellness-infused cultural experiences.

This shift presents an opportunity to think beyond the spa and create wellness-driven journeys that resonate with modern travelers seeking holistic well-being—wherever they go.

For hotels without dedicated spa facilities, strategic partnerships with wellness brands provide a scalable way to enhance their health and wellness offerings.

These collaborations can range from simple, cost-effective initiatives to premium, high-tech experiences:

• Budget-Friendly Additions:

• In-room wellness kits featuring aromatherapy diffusers, sleep-enhancing teas, and meditation guides
• Partnerships with local fitness instructors or personal trainers for scheduled or on-demand sessions
• Access to wellness apps offering guided meditation, sleep improvement, and stress management tools

• Mid-Tier Enhancements:

• Collaborations with mobile wellness providers for on-site massage, acupuncture, or reiki sessions
• Healthy dining partnerships with nutrition-focused meal delivery services or local organic cafés
• Outdoor wellness experiences such as guided sunrise yoga, breathwork on the beach, or forest bathing excursions

• Luxury & High-Tech Experiences:

• Biohacking and longevity treatments, including IV therapy, red light therapy, and oxygen bars
• Wearable wellness technology integration, such as sleep-tracking devices or recovery-focused smart beds
• Premium partnerships with wellness retreats and medical wellness providers, offering tailored health diagnostics and personalized longevity programs

By embracing these versatile wellness partnerships, hotels can meet rising consumer demand for holistic well-being while enhancing the guest experience—without the need for costly, in-house spa infrastructure.

Example of a Sustainability and Wellness Offering

The Maya Boutique Hotel & Spa in Switzerland is a business success story that showcases the increasing relevance of establishments with a focus on both sustainability practices and wellness services.

The hotel makes being carbon neutral a cornerstone of its sustainable mission. It is self-sufficient in energy thanks to solar panels and a wood oven. The Maya Hotel produces 100% of the required heat by itself.

Its sustainable credentials also go down to its architecture, which is insulated by 250 tons of CO2 locked into the walls of the straw bale hotel in the beautiful alpine valley of Val d’Hérens in Switzerland.

It’s green credentials seem to go hand-in-hand with the wellness traveler’s values. For the last few years, the Maya Boutique Hotel & Spa has also become dedicated to fasting guests, ensuring a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The Maya Hotel promotes fasting programs alongside a complete set of spa, yoga and meditation services.

The one-week program includes relaxing massages, professionally supervised fasting vacations and a full program of wellness activities: spa, yoga, walking, relaxation, etc… in the hotel´s stunning grounds.

Your Competitive Edge

Leverage these insights to refine your services, create distinctive guest experiences, and meet a rising demand. Take the first step toward transforming your offering, be it small changes to the in-room ammenities, or an entire property rennovation. Positioning your business at the forefront of the wellness tourism industry is undoubtedly a smart move.

This article originally appeared on EHL Insights.