The wellness tourism economy grew by 12.5% in 2013, according to new figures presented at this year’s Global Spa and Wellness Summit.
A Hotel Wellness and Hotel Spa forum discussion, called Imagining the Future, was moderated by Edie Weiner
The sector is now worth around $494 billion, compared with $439 billion in 2012, and now takes up 14.6% of overall tourism spending, up from 13.7%.
“Wellness tourism is positioned at a profitable intersection between two massive and growing industries – wellness and tourism – each one currently estimated at around $3.4 trillion,” said Ophelia Yeung of research institute SRI International.
The global tourism industry grew by 7% while the global wellness industry rose by 20%.
This year’s study suggests that a number of areas in the sector have grown over the past 12 months. Domestic wellness trips have increased by 12.1% with international wellness trips up 10.7%.
“What surprises many people is that domestic tourism is the predominant portion of the market. It makes up over two-thirds of wellness tourism expenditures and 84% of wellness trips. Domestic wellness tourism is growing faster than international,” said Yeung.
There were also increases in both “primary” wellness trips (11.2%) and “secondary” wellness trips (11.9%).
“Another interesting note is that secondary wellness travellers represent the biggest share of the market, accounting for over 85% of all wellness trips and expenditures,” added SRI’s Katherine Johnston.
“These travellers have an interest in maintaining wellness during travel, although it’s not the sole purpose for taking a trip.”
While wellness tourism only accounts for 6% of all tourism trips the study suggests it is a high yield sector. Wellness travellers spent 59% more than average on an international trip and 159% more on a domestic trip.
North America accounts for $196.5 billion of all wellness tourism expenditures with Europe in second place at $178.1 billion. The US is the number one country and accounts for a third of the total market.
The UK is also in the top 10 as is China for the first time. “One notable change since last year is that China has moved into the top 10, with overall strong tourism growth and a growing wellness tourism market linked with massive investment in hot springs resorts and strong spa market growth,” said Johnston.
Strong growth in the sector is also coming from emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Turkey. Morocco, where this year’s conference was held, also saw wellness tourism trips and expenditures more than double in 2013.
“The strong growth we’re seeing in wellness tourism is part of a broader trend – a growing interest globally in wellness and a healthy lifestyle, which people are incorporating into all aspects of there lives,” added Yeung.
source: http://www.ttgdigital.com / TTG Digital / Home> News / by Patrick Whyte / September 19th, 2014
