Top 10 wellness travel trends for 2023

Wellness travel is taking the tourist industry by storm, with an expected annual growth rate of 12.42% between 2023 and 2030. While interest in health and personal care has been steadily gaining popularity over the years, the covid-19 pandemic accelerated this recent drive, placing health at the forefront of our minds and pushing many of us to look for more ways to improve our mental and physical wellbeing holistically.

With this in mind, wellness travel has become more important than ever, with holidays being seen as an opportunity to restore and rejuvenate. In this article, we’ll look at some of the latest top trends designed to combat stress and burnout, and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Top 10 wellness travel trends

1. Wellness retreats

For those looking for a gentle reset, wellness retreats offer a variety of rejuvenating activities such as yoga, Pilates and meditation, often with an accompanying focus on whole foods and healthy eating.

2.Digital detoxes

With our lives becoming increasingly cluttered by constant screentime and digital exposure, travellers are opting for breaks which provide the opportunity to disconnect from devices. More and more destinations are being designed to offer guests the opportunity to step away from their phones and laptops to allow them the time and space to re-focus through self-reflection and connection with nature.

3.Medical tourism

More and more health seekers are electing to travel to other countries for treatments and procedures that are either unavailable or less affordable in their own countries. From cosmetic procedures to medical detox programmes, IV vitamin therapies and nutritional medicine, taking a flight to personalise your healthcare has never been more popular.

4.Eco-friendly getaways

Sustainability continues to be at the forefront of many minds, with travellers prioritising eco-friendly travel experiences which minimise their carbon footprint and environmental impact. From staycations to eco-resorts, keen travellers no longer have to compromise their values to enjoy an unforgettable getaway.

5.Tech-driven immersive health experiences

Home and office spaces aren’t the only places getting a tech makeover. Virtual reality is revolutionising the wellness space with spa treatments, fitness classes, meditation and even full retreat experiences – all accessed electronically via a headset.

6.Multigenerational travel

With more of us finding ourselves pressed for time, travellers are opting to use their vacation time to reconnect and spend quality time with family. The last couple years have seen an influx of holiday destinations offering programmes and facilities for all ages, from infants to grandparents and everything in between.

7. Mental health focused escapes

Where wellness retreats once focused on physical health, people can now explore programmes which prioritise mental wellbeing. Retreats with a focus on relaxation, stress and anxiety management – facilitated by licensed therapists – offer the perfect mental health getaways where guests can learn effective life skills to support them for the longer term.

8. Spiritual retreats

As far from a traditional pilgrimage as you can imagine, modern spiritual retreats are offering tarot readings, journaling, ancient rituals, meditations and more to help travellers reconnect with their spiritual selves and immerse themselves in the universe around them.

9. Sleep education

If you weren’t fully onboard with the hype around good sleep hygiene for overall health and wellbeing, a sleep-focused retreat could change your mind. Sleep-associated ailments, such as insomnia, low energy and weight gain, are on the rise, with sleep quality falling across various demographics.

Enter the sleep retreat. In these immersive programmes, you’ll be led by a team of experts, helping you to improve the quality and duration of your sleep through practices such as meditation, massage and healthy bedtime rituals.

10. Holistic therapies

With consumers increasingly interested in more personalised approaches to their health and wellbeing, the travel industry is responding to the greater demand for destinations offering alternative therapies, ranging from massage, acupuncture and reiki to herbal medicine and more.

Check out more wellness guides here:

The best health retreats for foodies
Health spotlight: detox and rejuvenate
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Healthy recipe inspiration

Tracey Raye is the health editor for olive and BBC Good Food. Tracey, MSc, is a registered nutritionist, holding a master’s degree in personalised nutrition. She is passionate about harnessing the power of all things health and wellbeing in a way that enhances, rather than limits our lives. She covers our nourishing recipes and collections, oversees our health strategy and stays on top of the latest health and lifestyle trends in order to bring you the tools and inspiration you need to find what health means for you.