Wellness Travel: 4 Trends To Look for When Vacation Planning

It’s early 2019. You’re sitting in front of your computer daydreaming and planning your yearly vacation. The destination of choice is the Caribbean or any affordable location where the drinks will flow freely, the views will make for the perfect Instagram photo, and the rest will give you just enough juice to last until the next break.

Then came March, and with it, a global pandemic that would push us into a 3-year on-and-off lockdown that would reduce our travel options to our own city. The forced staycation drove us to look within for our well-being, pushing a large percentage of us to pursue self-care activities that brought little nuggets of joy and wellness amid an uncertain future.

Instead of searching “things to do in Tulum,” we found ourselves searching for “healthy recipes to cook at home,” “mindful meditation,” and “self-care hobbies.”

How did this shift affect the Caribbean vacation you were planning? The idea of the perfect vacation also shifted. Covid-19 placed a tremendous focus on physical health but also garnered significant attention to our mental well-being.

The attention to wellness stuck, and our travel plans reflected that shift. A recent report by the Global Wellness Institute indicates that the wellness travel sector is expected to grow to $919 billion by 2022 from $735.8 just 2 years prior.

So, as we slowly start to dream about traveling again, what are the trends worth following?

Digital Detox - After spending the last few years devouring every single series and movie on Netflix and following ongoing trends on Tik Tok, travelers are searching for a much-needed digital detox. The detox can be as simple as leaving the phone in the suitcase. For others, it means finding fully immersive experiences that take away even the option of having access to tech, such as mindfulness retreats. We’ve discovered the dopamine that comes with taking care of our mind, body, and souls and are looking to be fully immersed in that happy, relaxed state. The need to disconnect includes work. People want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and vacation time itself will be a work-free zone.

Wellness at the Center of it All - Vacations are no longer an excuse to eat poorly, drink too much, and return to life more drained than when we left. Travelers seek experiences that will revitalize them and even boost their newfound habits. Mindful Living Programs, such as the one offered by luxury cruise Seaburn integrate physical, social, environmental, and spiritual well-being for participants. The program is designed in partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil, world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. The program includes perks such as Mindful Living Coaches certified in yoga and meditation practices, positive affirmations and mantras, and body alignment sessions. Seabourn’s spa program also offers a wide range of innovative and unique treatments such as an Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath Healing Treatment, detoxifying therapies, acupuncture, and more.

In Connection with Nature - After spending so much time indoors because of stay-at-home orders, our minds and bodies are craving some outdoor escapes. People have also discovered the healing power of nature in re-balancing our mind, body, and spirit. So, whether you opt for activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching, or stargazing - nature will be at the center of many vacation plans. This means looking into the activities themselves before even choosing a destination. Animals are also being incorporated into wellness retreats and experiences, especially species known for their assistance in therapy, such as dogs and horses.

The Global Community and Sustainable Travel - For many people, taking care of their health also means caring for their souls and the planet. When it comes to vacationing, the search to revitalize our soul translates into engaging in authentic, ethical interactions with the local community of the country we’re visiting. Our values have shifted. Not only are we seeking to learn more about the culture and traditions of our vacation spot, but we also want the local community to benefit from these interactions. Travelers opt for experiences and activities that are authentic, respectful, and ethical to the community and the environment.

Wellness travel takes the concept of relaxing to a whole new level. Traveling is now an opportunity to reconnect with ourselves and return to our daily lives in an improved state of mind, body, and soul.