Why your next wellness holiday might change your life

A sun-soaked vacation with spa treatments and yoga classes? That’s so 2019.

Wellness retreats now embrace services such as clean gastronomy offerings, genomic testing with in-depth diagnostics, detox (both physical and digital), biohacking, and energy cleansing through acupuncture and chakra healing.

The landscape of wellness travel has undergone a transformative shift, and travellers are ditching the ordinary for extraordinary experiences. They’re increasingly opting for retreats that offer a holistic experience encompassing the mind, body and soul, through tailored programmes that encompass nutrition, fitness, therapy and meditation.

“Beyond merely indulging in a holiday, many of our clients aspire to embark on a journey of self-discovery,” says Iris Wang, co-partner and head of strategic partnerships at Om & Away, an interactive travel portal in Asia that curates wellness experiences and bookings for travellers. “An increasing number of our clients are seeking all-encompassing experiences. As the demand for personalised wellness experiences continues to rise, the landscape is evolving into a multi-faceted realm where resorts not only provide cultural immersion, but also cater to holistic wellness.”

Reshaping wellness tourism

This paradigm shift in wellness priorities has supercharged demand. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is poised to become a $1.3 trillion industry by 2025, outpacing the growth of any other wellness sector.

A 2023 global trend report by Hilton underscores this trend, with 50 per cent of respondents believing that their travels now need to address their mental or physical wellness. The American Express 2023 Global Travel Trends Report also revealed that restorative vacations are on the rise, and most respondents see leisure travel as a break from overstimulation and multitasking, with 57 per cent of respondents planning to take extended vacations to focus on wellness.

Within the past decade, yoga mats in hotel rooms, as well as gym and spa access, have become the norm in hotels and resorts. So what makes the new wave of wellness tourism different? Far beyond the spa, emerging trends include specialised health programmes tailored to address the specific needs of diverse demographics, such as women who are undergoing menopause, or advanced wellness treatments that include sleep therapy.

While alternative wellness offerings like intravenous (IV) vitamin drips and cryotherapy were not unheard of even before the pandemic, they have mostly been available in medical spas. As their demand has significantly risen in the post-pandemic era, reflecting a heightened awareness in the market, these treatments are now considered standard offerings in wellness retreats.

Diagnostics are dictating your itinerary

Aman New York, for example, opened its doors last year. The resort is home to a 25,000-square-foot spa that spans three levels – one of the largest and most comprehensive city resort spas ever. The spa also features an infrared sauna, vitamin therapy and vitamin IV infusions, a cryotherapy chamber, and intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) with a specialised breathing mask that aims to simulate altitude training (but with none of the risks).

Meanwhile, RAKxa wellness retreat, which opened in December 2020 in Bangkok, Thailand was initially conceived as a luxury medical clinic with accommodation. However, a pivotal shift occurred when its CEO, Dusadee Tancharoen, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 47.

Following her treatment, she explored top medi-spas worldwide, and noticed a gap in the market: A lot of the retreats were mainly focused on either the medical or the holistic. Consequently, the vision for RAKxa emerged – to combine both approaches, drawing on Thailand's rich 5,000-year-old traditions of Asian medicine.

Retreats like Aman and RAKxa are meeting the rising demand for wellness destinations and treatments within urban settings, says Om & Away’s Iris.

“The demand for immersive integrative wellness retreats is soaring, and an increasing number of our clients are seeking all-encompassing experiences – even in bustling cities like Bangkok.”

“Our retreats offer access to globally renowned specialists who work in synergy towards the realisation of the guests’ personal goals,” says Yuki Kiyono, Global Head of Health and Wellness Development at Aman Resorts.

For example, guests who opt for Aman New York’s strength and recovery programme will experience an itinerary consisting of strength and conditioning session, a Banya or Hammam treatment, reflexology, and optimised performance meals, all curated in in partnership with tennis legend and Aman Global Wellness Ambassador, Maria Sharapova.

Modern wellness

Interestingly, what was once perceived as a luxury and confined to the privileged few is now also more accessible and affordable than ever. Wellness is becoming more inclusive, and tailored to a wider audience with diverse requirements.

For example, a one-night stay at Absolute Sanctuary, a wellness haven in Koh Samui, Thailand, renowned for its 21 diverse programs covering fitness, health, lifestyle, and weight management, averages around $165 per night in a standard superior room, not including fitness activities and meals.

In Bali, Indonesia, eco-friendly retreat De Moksha offers similar enticing packages. The seven-day Yoga, Meditation, and Balinese Culture Retreat, which includes full board meals, a traditional healing session performed by a Balinese shaman, cooking classes, cultural activities and more, starts at approximately $1,199 (around $171 per night) for a shared twin room. This new-found accessibility is reshaping the landscape of wellness travel.

The concept of wellness travel has also expanded beyond individual or couples’ retreats to include families. Alma Resort Cam Ranh, a wellness destination in Vietnam, has observed a rising trend of families travelling together for wellness experiences, contrary to the common perception that children may be a hindrance to wellness travel.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has deeply influenced wellness tourism,” says Herbert Laubichler- Pichler, managing director of Alma Resort Cam Ranh. “People, now more than ever, want to make the most of their time and prioritise their health. Families, in particular, value and appreciate their time together post-pandemic.”

The resort has responded by incorporating child-friendly activities into its spa menu. “We recognised that spa indulgence need not be just the domain of adults. As such, Alma’s Le Spa has a menu dedicated to children, complete with foot and hand baths, massages, and a facial incorporating tropical fruit and reflexology.”

The evolution of wellness travel is not only democratising access, but also redefining the inclusivity of well-being experiences for all.

Tailored to your needs

Increasingly, wellness retreats are also now tailored to address the specific needs of diverse demographics. For example, The Farm at San Benito, a wellness resort in Philippines’ Batangas hinterland, offers a menopausal wellness retreat.

“The Menopause Retreat was formally launched earlier this year, inspired by the recognition of the unique challenges and needs that women face during the menopausal transition. Our goal was to create a dedicated space where individuals could receive holistic support, both physically and emotionally, to navigate this significant life stage with grace and empowerment,” says Jennifer Sanvictores, global head of Sales, Marketing & Communications at The Farm at San Benito & CG Hospitality.

“Menopause can be challenging for women, and it often involves physical and emotional symptoms that may disrupt their daily lives,” adds Dr Marian Alonzo, medical chief at The Farm at San Benito. “The retreat provides not only nutritional guidance, but also a thorough health consultation, including colon hydrotherapy sessions and liver compress, delving into the individual’s overall well-being.”

Meanwhile, Chiva-Som Hua Hin in Thailand offers its guests genomic testing. Launched earlier this year, genetic samples collected by Chiva-Som are processed in a specialist laboratory. The results are then interpreted and conveyed to guests by specialised genomic and health counselling experts.

“The tests analyse the DNA to identify genetic variants that impact how the subject’s body processes nutrients like vitamins and minerals, as well as how they respond to different types of exercise and environmental factors like stress,” says Chanyapak Suwankantha, wellness director at Chiva-Som Hua Hin.

“This can help identify ways to live better, whether you’re looking to optimise physical performance, mitigate risk factors associated with a predisposition to particular health conditions or diseases, or manage existing symptoms of illness.”

Longevity beyond the retreat

For most of us, our lives can feel like pressure cookers – we’re simply building up the tension with our daily stresses, and waiting to release it when we go off on our next holiday. Hence, we demand more from our vacation time: Not only do we want immersive experiences, we also seek to nurture our mental and emotional states, hoping that the effects will far outlast our annual leave period. Wellness resorts are taking note of this desire.

“The desire for a seamless transition between a wellness retreat and everyday life is evident. Resorts are extending their commitment beyond the duration of the retreat, offering post-retreat check-ins, and actively assisting in managing the ongoing wellness journey of their guests,” says Iris.

For instance, the Longevity genomic testing programme at Chiva-Som Hua Hin offers chronic disease assessment. By analysing the DNA, the team can identify genetic variants that are associated with an increased risk for common chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. While this is not intended to diagnose disease, it indicates susceptibility, and enables the Chiva-Som wellness team to provide personalised recommendations such as regular screenings and lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk.

At TIA Wellness Resort in Da Nang, Vietnam, the Body & Mind Cleanse retreat is a programme meticulously crafted to release toxins, reduce inflammation, foster a healthy lifestyle, and liberate the mind from clutter, overthinking, and stress. It includes a master therapy session, a raw plant-based meal plan with intermittent fasting, as well as daily yoga and breathwork classes.

“Our goal is to provide each individual client with the tools and experience to continue incorporating what they have learnt and practised into their lifestyle after the retreat,” says Ramon Imper, general manager of TIA Wellness Resort. “Our private retreats are more than just a quick fix; we want to ensure that our guests have the chance to truly embrace change, and learn new ways to improve their physical and mental well- being, even after their retreat. This reflects the trend for wellness that goes beyond the seven- day challenges or one-week fasts, which used to be hyped, but actually only had a short-term effect on one’s well-being.”

In some ways, that’s what travel has always been about: a chance to rejuvenate, disconnect, and step away from the stressors of our daily life. And as travel and wellness become even more intertwined, we’ll soon have no shortage of destinations that will get you to rest, relax, and restore balance to your mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.