Six wellness travel trends for 2024

Wellness used to conjure up images of a healthy diet and regular exercise. The concept has since expanded to include an holistic dimension, which takes a long-term approach towards health.

Quick fixes are out and feeling good triumphs over looking good. In a post-COVID world, people want to live better and feel better, for longer. Longevity is a key trend within the wellness sphere that will dominate 2024.

As wellness tourism evolves, with an expected $1.3 trillion turnover by 2025, it also expands to offer health-conscious holidays to childrens and teens, as well as adults. Read on to discover 2024’s top wellness travel trends.

We are often told that the sooner you start something, the better. This can be applied to wellness, as spas, retreats and other holiday destinations begin to understand that children can learn how to be active and eat well on a daily basis.

Self-care can now be practised across generations, with holiday packages that include child-friendly spa treatments, outdoor activities suited to grandparents, parents and kids alike, as well as group activities such as cooking classes.

Integrating wellness activities into a family holiday not only allows for inter-generational fun, it also offers an opportunity for bonding while practising healthy habits.

We shouldn’t feel burnt-out at the end of a holiday. Rushing around to Instagram travel hotspots, which often require getting up at the crack of dawn, is thankfully becoming less of a trend.

The Pinterest Predicts report showed a significant increase in users searching for “staycation hotel” and “slow life” on the platform.

Wellness-focused experiences tie in to the slow travel trend. They help us to recharge our batteries and put busy holiday itineraries on the back-burner. Lie-ins, gentle exercise and reconnecting with nature can make a huge difference. And that’s before actually dipping your toes into the real wellness pool.

Staycations and meditation retreats are growing wellness travel trends that agencies, hotels and retreats are fully aware of, and adapting their offers accordingly.

With the desire to not only live for longer, but in the healthiest conditions possible, precision nutrition is expected to take healthy eating to a new level.

With the help of AI, a wealth of data can be obtained that encompasses biological markers such as glucose levels and blood health, to create sophisticated algorithms. This information can then be used to create a highly personalised diet that caters to our body’s unique needs.

We should also anticipate tech’s influence on fitness. For example, augmented reality fitness experiences and interactive equipment create immersive workout experiences that move away from the traditional gym setting.For many, this carries the advantage of being able to control your wellness experience, wherever you are in the world.

Do you struggle to fully switch off from work whilst on holiday? You’re not alone. Unplugged is a UK’s digital detox escape agency whose data highlights that 54% of their guests are motivated to book a break due to burnout and work stress.

While technology can play a helping hand in streamlining our day-to-day, and even help to plan your travel breaks, we are looking more and more to disconnect from the daily digital buzz.

Screen-free travel breaks can help to reduce stress while increasing productivity levels. Reconnect with nature, enjoy quality time with the people you’re on holiday with, and feel rejuvenated when you go back home.

Whether you suffer from insomnia or not, we can all acknowledge the benefits of a good night of sleep. With a helping hand from tech, as well as science-backed spa treatments, we may be in for our best sleep ever this year!

First, science. With med-spa therapies becoming more popular, we can expect the benefits of spa treatments to last way beyond the massage room. It’s actually a combination of therapies that we are happy to invest in, to help boost our overall health and wellness.

We want ice baths and infrared saunas. On top of that, we want a deep relaxation massage that also includes a reading of our blood health and vitamin levels.

All of these therapies combined can have a positive impact on our quality of sleep and keep insomnia at bay.

Now, let’s talk about tech. From sleep trackers to smart mattresses, there are several ways to understand how you can enhance your sleeping environment. AI is now joining the party, to offer smart beds that can heat up or cool down, depending on your needs.

But the trend we expect to see more of in 2024 is the advancement of light and sound therapies. Think deep sleep therapy sessions and sensory sounds from the natural world, to make sleep hygiene even more restorative. Who doesn’t want to wake up feeling like their best self?

Today, we are hearing more stories of the menopause experience. And the wellness universe is listening. Women shouldn’t have to suffer in silence with physical side-effects, such as hot flushes and hormonal changes, especially when travelling.

Expect to see more menopause specialists join expert wellness teams, with a variety of new treatments such as acupuncture and massages that specifically cater to menopausal and perimenopausal womens’ needs.

Cycle syncing is another female-centric health trend to look out for this year. By actively tracking your menstrual cycle, you can listen to warning signs from your body and take preventative measures.

For example, period tracking apps will offer more knowledge of period patterns and provide useful information on how to minimise PMS, manage stress levels and keep their hormones balanced.

So, if you’re looking to combine travel with wellness in 2024, the good news is that there’s plenty of opportunity out there. The only question is–where will you go first?