Wellness

Forecasting the next big trends in wellness travel for 2017, we share the best travel trends in the spa and wellness industries. From holidays for a healthy mind, to specialist stop smoking retreats and full body-MOT escapes, discover the hottest new trends that will influence the wellness and spa worlds. 

Between hectic work schedules and making time for family and friends, we often forget to take time for ourselves. As indulgent as it may seem, self-care is crucial for us to stay on top of our physical, emotional and mental well-being. In fact, pampering yourself can act as a good defence against poor health. It is said that 75 to 90 per cent of illnesses are stress-related and being able to manage stress helps to fight that.

When most people hear the words ‘spa holiday’, they automatically envisage women. However, men are becoming increasingly passionate about health and wellness, with more blokes taking well-deserved spa breaksthan ever before. With the pressures of the modern world weighing down our minds and our souls, it has never been more important to relax, unwind and rediscover the inner-strength needed to cope with life’s challenges.

In a world full of distractions, it has never been more important to take time out and reconnect with yourself, and what better way to do this than on a relaxing wellness spa holiday at one of the best spa hotels in the world. Run by expert practitioners within the wellness industry, these spa destinations offer a diverse range of tailored health programmes, combining the perks of a detox holiday, as well as fitness, weight loss and sleep-enhancement solutions. With a variety of approaches, treatments and classes, these luxury spa retreats are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated. So, whether you fancy a spa break a little closer to home on the golden beaches of the Mediterranean, or prefer to venture to the deep blue waters of the Caribbean, we’ve rounded up the best spa holidays to completely relax the mind and leave your troubles at home.

Living in today’s fast-paced world, a holiday to an exotic tropical paradise where you can embrace pure relaxation on a luxury spa retreat might just be at the top of everyone’s travel wish list. From the lush forests of Costa Rica to the tropical hills of Bali, you are sure to experience your dream holiday on a spa retreat in paradise with just the right mix of leisure and adventure. These beautiful, exotic destinations offer the full package; magnificent surroundings to explore, a whole new cultural experience, delicious flavourful menus, fun activities, and luxurious spas for ultimate relaxation, making them the best spa retreats in paradise.

As the days grow longer and temperatures begins to rise, it’s time to jet off and enjoy the season before the arrival of the autumn equinox. When looking for summer holiday inspiration, we’re all searching for the perfect place to relax. Boost your health and fitness in spectacular destinations as we unveil the best summer holiday destinations for wellness travellers. From a back-to-nature active retreat in Menorca, to a bespoke mindful getaway in Sri Lanka; combine relaxation, wellness and an exotic location for the summer holiday of a lifetime.

Everybody needs a break from time to time and a well-deserved spa holiday offers the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind. But have you ever tried a thalassotherapy spa holiday? From the Greek work ‘thalassa’ meaning sea, thalassotherapy brings the natural healing powers of sea water to the spa. It is said to eliminate toxins from the body, increase blood and lymph circulation as well as accelerate metabolism. It also aids in weight loss, relieving muscular pain and treating various skin conditions.

Whether you’ve recently welcomed your first child or a new addition to the family, having a baby is a beautiful, although stressful, time of your life. Make this transition easier on one of our family friendly wellness retreats, tailor-made to provide you and your family with just what you need to start a healthy and happy life together.

Grab your soul sisters and shake up your weekend with a girls trip to a luxurious spa escape to reset, recharge and reconnect with your best friends. We’ve gathered the best short-haul healthy holiday destinations to tempt even your busiest gal-pals into a short stress busting vaycay. Boost your fitness during heart-pumping fitness classes before indulging in various spa treatments at one of our handpicked wellness getaways. Together with your best friends, experience the benefits of a wellness getaway and return home with a vibrant holiday glow and memories that will surely be one for the books!

With Wimbledon 2018 well and truly under way, the ever-growing fever is tangible, and nobody is immune. Luckily, we are here to treat you with the tried and tested cure, sharing our top tennis holidays and tips from experts that are guaranteed to inspire you. Whether you’re as serious as Andy Murray or simply enjoy working up a sweat before the spa, gain the advantage this summer with an epic sporting holiday. After a morning on the court with expert coaches, ward off tennis elbow through the expertise of professional chiropractors and rejuvenating spa treatments, leaving your body ready to hit the courts again tomorrow. Game, set, match.  

The habits of travellers have changed, more people are favouring a wellness staycation, there are new demands for immunity boosting retreats, socially distanced wellness trips, private jet wellness journeys and working remotely on holiday; personal health and fitness are now top priority for travel. Embracing the future of wellness travel, our specialist team at Health and Fitness Travel continue to forecast the biggest wellness travel trends. With 2021 set to be the year when travellers push for a return to normality and with more people choosing longer, even season-length health and fitness escapes, the pandemic has changed how we travel.  

Healthy Hibernation Holidays  

The winter months are going to see a boom in people taking long stay healthy hibernation holidays to enjoy a double dose of summer. Winter sun destinations with lower Covid-19 risk and Covid-19 safe certified wellness resorts are going to be the most popular. St Lucia, Mauritius, Vietnam, Maldives, and Thailand provide safer environments for long winter stay wellness escapes. Healthy hibernation holidays provide attractive benefits that will entice people despite the uncertainty of travel restrictions. Season length holidays are a chance to escape; to improve one’s immunity in a healthier climate and have some much-needed fun after spending a year in isolation. Instead of becoming unattractive, the prospect of seasonal migration is being made more enticing by travel restrictions.

Top Wellness Destinations: St Lucia, Thailand, Mauritius

Staycation Wellness Boom

2021 is going to see an unprecedented rise in the number of travellers looking for Due to a continued hampering of consumer confidence in foreign travel, people are searching for holidays to improve their health and fitness without always having to go overseas. With a 22% increase already on bookings for the same point last year – whether it’s a healthy break to de-stress or an active holiday to boost physical well-being in the scenic beauty of the British countryside;  wellness staycations are proving to be the perfect opportunity to kickstart, or maintain a healthy lifestyle and boost our immunity, all from the comfort of our own country.

Top Wellness Destinations:

Immunity Booster Retreats

Our immunity is more important than ever. Until a vaccine is available, our immune systems will need to adapt unaided to Covid-19. We all want a long and healthy life, to be free of disease and to limit health conditions. As a relaxing and reliable solution to the prominent health concerns of today, healing holidays designed to boost the immune system are becoming increasingly popular. Immune boosting retreats are offered in many locations for a secluded, social distancing friendly getaway to focus on personal well-being. Weight loss programmes, fitness classes, specialised treatments and sunnier climates are all married together to aid your body’s natural defences as a break from the lang au}{/lang}winter. Those who prioritise personal wellbeing and still wish to travel are choosing immunity boosting holidays as a way of healing, physically and emotionally, with the help of doctors, nutritionists, and health practitioners.

Top Wellness Destinations: Euphoria Retreat, Kamalaya, Galo Retreat

Self-Care Now an Essential Part of Travel

What was a necessity during lockdown is now becoming a driving factor in holiday planning. The threat of serious illness was a powerful motivator for many to focus on their own health and fitness. Many had to learn the art of self-care during lockdown, whether that’s healthy eating or regular exercise, and now have a desire to turn that wellness project into a lifestyle. Wellness retreats are rare opportunities for devotion to personal care through yoga, guided meditation, spa therapies and other wellness treatments and activities. This type of self-care travel can be tailored for any location and made bespoke for any group. Healthy holidays with intent purpose of fostering personal betterment are going to grow in relevancy through 2021, and long into the next decade. After all, it is unlikely that being unhealthy is going to become popular any time soon.

Top Wellness Destinations: Training Paradise, Conrad Algarve, Longevity Health & Wellness Resort.

Working Remotely on Holiday to Stay Healthy

With the rise of remote work and the ongoing restrictions of Covid-19, many are leaving their home offices for the chance of working from a picturesque wellness holiday destination. Technology has facilitated many workers to perform their job effectively from anywhere there is phone signal and a strong Wi-Fi connection. Instead of working remotely from home, we are starting to discover that leaving the UK winter behind and working from holiday has remarkable benefits. Productivity is not hampered we become more efficient; many destinations like St Lucia and Madeira are far safer havens for the pandemic than places like the UK or USA. Clients can also facilitate their work schedule around their health and fitness programme on holiday so they can attend morning and evening activities and spa treatments scheduled around their working day with greater flexibility over the weekends.

Top Wellness Destinations: BodyHoliday, Kamalaya, The Retreat Costa Rica

Social Distance Wellness Trips to Far Flung Locations

A greater number of holiday makers are choosing socially distance wellness trips to destinations further afield than previous years. The greater the health risk of travel and the greater the effort, means people are more inclined to book one big holiday. Instead of choosing European city breaks, holiday goers are favouring longer healthy getaways that are further away but less risky and more secluded. Social distance holidays are popular with families, couples and solo travellers, as they provide quiet time away to strengthen relationships and focus on personal well-being. Social distance is well accommodated by many luxury hotels, providing they are in low risk Covid-19 spots; Mauritius, the Maldives, St Lucia, island nations with low populations and plenty of space. Private villa resorts at these locations provide healthy retreats that are ideal for two weeks or more of self-isolating in a beautiful, remote location.

Top Wellness Destinations: Shanti Maurice, Ananda in the Himalayas, REVIVO

Mindful and Sustainable Travel

2021 will see a huge rise in the relevance that sustainability takes in the travel plans of consumers as they become more mindful than ever. The visible easing of CO2 emissions during lockdown, once again, reignited discussions on the pollution caused by worldwide tourism. Consumers saw the dramatic effect emissions were having on the planet and resolved to be more mindful about the environmental impact of their actions. Staycations or eco-friendly resorts with a greater commitment to eco-friendly practices are going to be more popular. Wellness resorts in Bali and Thailand are embracing a holistic approach to holidaying that reduces the environmental effects of a guest’s stay. Likewise, consumers are now more inclined to fly less frequently, preferring one long-haul holiday a year rather than multiple short hauls.  

Top Wellness Destinations: Komune Bali, Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti, SwaSwara.  

Multi-Generational Active Trips  

Multi-generational active trips will be more common in 2021 as people look to continue the time they have shared with their immediate family in lockdown. These holidays will be motivated by those eager to reconnect with the extended family members who they have been separated from. One of the silver linings of lockdown was the chance to spend more time with the immediate family, sharing healthy activities like cycling, walking, and running. Many will be looking to continue this healthy streak with more extended family on a multi-generational active trip. After months apart, summer 2021 is going to be the season for family reconnection as all generations rub shoulders on a healthy and active family holiday together.

Top Wellness Destinations: Pine Cliffs, Forte Village, REVIVO Family Retreat

Stress and Anxiety Reduction for Tailor-made Holidays

Tailor-made holidays for relaxation and recovery are becoming a necessity to ease the mental effects of months spent in lockdown. 2020 has been detrimental for our collective mental state 2021 will be an opportunity to release the pent-up anxiety of isolation with wellness holidays and stress management retreats. Tailored to the requirements of the individual, they offer an immersive experience of private fitness training, health screenings and luxury healing spa treatments with an educational programme. Holidays have always been an effective way of coping with pressure but in 2021, they are going to be the means of coping with post lockdown induced stress.

 *Figures from the ONS.

 Top Wellness Destinations: Absolute Sanctuary, SHA Wellness Clinic, Ananda 

Wellness Music and Sound Experiences

Wellness music and healthy sound experiences are going to redefine wellness travel in 2021. New evidence from medical journals suggests that music is invaluable in easing the side-effects of a variety of physical and mental conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and high-blood pressure. In the same vein, living in loud environments which most people do has been linked to rises in heart disease, obesity, low birth weight and cognitive impairment in children. Wellness retreats have recognised the health benefits of sound experiences and are incorporating them into their health plans. Shreyas Silent Retreat in India offers a traditional Indian Ashram experience where sound meditation is integral to the wellness journey of guests. As more research uncovers further evidence to the benefits of sound experiences, mindfulness retreats offering music therapies are becoming more popular.

Top Wellness Destinations: Shreyas, Escape Ritual, Santani

Private Jet Boom for Bespoke Wellness Travel

The decline of the commercial airline industry has created a vacuum that is being filled by a boom in private jet travel. From front door to hotel lobby, clients can skip the queues and uncertainty of airline travel today where possible exposure to Covid-19 is 30 times lower when flying by private aircraft. Former clients of luxury commercial airlines are defecting to private jet providers for a service where luxury and reliability can be guaranteed, when flying to a luxury wellness retreat or medical spa in Europe to booking a spectacular around the world wellness trip. 2020 was the worst financial year in aviation history, so when it comes to wellness travel in 2021, the private jet industry will continue to boom as more people switch to a service that prioritises wellness and personal safety.

Top Wellness Destinations: Italy, Maldives, St Lucia

Big Bucket List Wellness Trip

For many travellers, eager to rid themselves of the unhealthy habits picked up during lockdown, 2021 is going to be the year for a once in a lifetime bucket list wellness trip. Whist most people are just losing the timidity picked up this year, many seasoned travellers are keen for adventurous wellness getaways and weeks of lavish splendour. Destinations in south east Asia have been firm favourites in previous years, for the wonderful climate and incredible scenic beauty. Bali and Thailand sport a great selection of luxury wellness retreats with on-site spas and fitness facilities, often on pristine private beaches. With many people feeling their health suffered from the confines of lockdown, health conscious and ambitious travellers are seeing 2021 as an opportunity to return to that pre-lockdown level with a once in a lifetime wellness trip.

Top Wellness Destinations: Six Senses Kaplankaya, Fusion Maia, COMO Shambhala Estate   

Personal Health and Physical Fitness

As health consciousness has become more ubiquitous, we have seen a rise in the number of people pursuing travel to improve their mental and physical health. The collective health concerns of 2020 have had an impact on all other aspects of well-being, acting as a catalyst for people wanting to improve their physical fitness. Regular exercise is a key factor in avoiding the severe symptoms of Covid-19 caused by immune system over-reactions. Informed consumers are keen to prevent getting sick by taking wellness holidays with a focus on personal health and physical fitness. More people are pursuing socially distance friendly ways of achieving their health and fitness goals. Covid-19 safe resorts design their fitness programmes to be isolated, safe, and effective. Healthy holidays and fitness retreats are satisfying the demands for stronger physical health in the wake of the pandemic.

Top Wellness Destinations: The BNKR Ultimate Fitness, Lily of the Valley, The Fit Retreat

Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfectwellness holiday. 

Saba Rais, 36, a corporate lawyer from London, spent two weeks at health and well-being resort The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia, booked through Health and Fitness Travel. Since returning, she's reorganised her life, making time for exercise as well as writing a beauty blog. Saba talks about her holiday experience to us.

Many of us drink alcohol to relax and socialise. Alcohol can be part of a healthy lifestyle as long as you drink in moderation and combine it with regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, drinking alcohol excessively or when it can be considered harmful is proven to have many adverse effects on your mental and physical health. Drinking a large amount over a long period of time can cause you to develop a higher tolerance to alcohol, where you may no longer experience the short-term side effects that you might have otherwise. Ultimately, alcohol can present many adverse effects on the body. Here we will discuss these health implications and how this can impact you now, and in the further future. 

With the spa and wellness travel industry expanding faster than overall travel tourism, Paul Joseph, co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel looks at the growth of spa and wellness tourism and how spas must now innovate to stay ahead of the curve for customer demand.

“Like stepping into another world…” is how nutritionist and author Lola Berry describes her experience when she first visited Aro Hā. No surprise there as this health retreat is quite literally heaven on (middle) earth, as it is set upon the ethereal backdrop of Glenorchy, New Zealand, host to towering mountain ranges, Lake Wakatipu and yes, Lord of the Rings and Narnia. 

Ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat”? This is because what you feed your body has a direct effect on your health and your state of mind. So your daily nutrition choices make a huge difference to your health and how you feel now, tomorrow and in the future. Free Soul, the UK’s leading female nutrition company, explains the importance of nutrition, and how to feel great using the power of healthy eating and living!

Healthandfitnesstravel.com features in the Independent's 50 Best Travel Websites, with author Rhiannon Batten 'seeing the world the smart way', recommending healthandfitnesstravel.com in the article that leads readers where to 'bag a bargain and load up on local knowledge'.

Travelling is one of the most popular “life goals”, and having the nomadic lifestyle is certainly one of the best ways to see the world.

Over the course of the last year, we have seen the engagements in our calendars rescheduled and eventually shelved indefinitely. From small everyday events like a cup of coffee with a friend or a trip to the gym to international events such as the Olympics, our routines came to a halt in an indiscriminatory way – nobody has been free from the effects of the pandemic. Given the frequently changing lockdowns and tiers, it’s easy to see how our perception of time has completely changed. It has meant many of us do not know where the virus year/s have gone. It is hugely down to the fact we separate time with distinguishing occasions – ‘the summer my son had his graduation’ or ‘it was the year we went to Dubai’… Without occasions, one day merely leans into the next, and the next, forming no memories.

On a slightly more optimist note, whether COVID-19 entered our lives or not, there are so many mental health and wellness benefits of having a holiday to look forward to which include:

Up market all-inclusive holidays are all the rage in travel with lavish comforts, delicious cuisine and stunning locations. The destinations in which all-inclusive holidays are offered varies from far flung destinations, like St Lucia, to Thailand but they all include delectable food in sumptuous comfort, and quality and value is no longer a necessary trade-off, as the best of both worlds can now be enjoyed.