Business is booming when it comes to wellness.
This past October, The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) announced that the wellness industry is now a staggering $4.2-trillion economy. The 2017 figure consists a total of 10 different sectors, the largest of which include beauty and anti-aging, nutrition, wellness tourism, and fitness and mind and body. Wellness is officially big business, now accounting for 5.3% of global economic output, and is undergoing rapid transformation and evolution.
Spas
Fast Company reports that the data shows consumers are evidently drawn to places where they can make self-care a regular and meaningful part of their lives. We couldn’t agree more with this statement and are delighted to see this movement now reaching spas within the hotel and resort space. No longer are spa services reserved for that annual indulgence, instead capture rate and frequency of visit are finally trumping average ticket price. If the guests don’t come to you, then why not bring the spa to the guests? Innovative pool-side-pop-up concepts, micro hydrothermal circuits right in the guestroom, meditation dens in the lobby—the future of spas is full of possibility!
Wellness Tourism
Wellness tourism is undoubtedly the leader of the pack in terms of growth. This sector is now valued at $639 billion by GWI, and its 6.5% growth rate from 2015 to 2017 is more than double the 3.2% growth rate of tourism in general. Recent industry movement absolutely supports this data. Fitness giant Equinox is entering the hotel space and has also recently launched its very own fitness and wellness getaways. The team behind the blog Well + Good began hosting retreats last year.
2019 trend watch
Evidence shows that there are no signs of the industry slowing down any time soon. With growth being so robust, it is actually becoming more and more difficult to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape. Here’s a quick look at what we’re watching with an extra close eye in 2019:
- Wellness tourism goes urban: Wellness-focused resorts are adapting and pushing their offerings for urban environments to the next level. For example, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas came to NYC and One&Only launched One&Only Urban Resorts and went to Dubai with a spa open around the clock.
- From digital detox to high-tech wellness: A rapidly advancing space, tech companies are actively entering the wellness sector, seeking ways to marry the two industries which until now have mostly been argued to be best kept mutually exclusive. As reported in the GWI 2019 Global Wellness Trends Report, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention cites meditation as the fastest-growing health trend in America. Apple reports that mental wellness/mindfulness was the No. 1 app trend of 2018, and Peloton has revolutionized the at-home gym with workouts streamed live and completely on-demand, while advanced skincare treatments such as microcurrent facials can now be enjoyed without leaving your couch.
- CBD: You cannot find a 2019 trend report without the mention of cannabidiol on the list.
- Design for well-being: This is a movement we predict to be far beyond a passing trend. Wellness is moving beyond programming, foods and activities and into interior design. Wellness design principles are being woven into the residential environment, which in the hotel and resort space is translating into a superior guest room product. Look for increased use of natural, sustainable materials, and expect to see more visually calming spaces, free from clutter and distraction.
Jennifer Findlay is the founder of Core Essence, a Design and Consulting Firm specializing in Spa & Wellness. Core Essence works within and beyond the traditional spa environment with an approach that examines design, development and ongoing operations concurrently. A member of the Global Wellness Institute’s preferred consultants and the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, Jennifer can be contacted at Jennifer@coreessence.ca
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