The Wellness Wellspring

Wellcation is the rising star of the hospitality and travel industry

- NAVNEET NAGPAL & SIMON SHEPHERDSON

Beyond the cosiness of familiar destinations, the languorous luxury of cruise ships or the adrenaline-seeking adventure junkie, there is a growing segment of travel that is looking to expand the idea of a vacation beyond the typical. This burgeoning phenomenon nurtures a growing proclivity for Wellcations, a term that intertwines wellness and vacations, and has rapidly transitioned from a niche interest to a mainstream demand. The Global Wellness Institute projects that the wellness tourism sector could outpace traditional tourism growth substantially. In 2021, the market made an impressive recovery, showing a growth rate that was nearly 50 per cent higher than the overall tourism industry.

A Wellcation is more than a conventional getaway; it’s a transformative journey that places emphasis on holistic healing. The concept of wellcations primarily emerged as a response to a growing global emphasis on health and wellness, further accelerated by the post-pandemic shift in travel priorities. Today’s travellers draw on experiences that nurture their mental and physical well-being. The rise of Wellcations in India can also be attributed to this collective shift towards prioritising wellness.

But it’s not just about boring diets, endless mud baths and meditation classes, these are transformative journeys designed to reset and revitalise, and includes adventure wellness, cultural immersion wellcations, digital detox retreats, luxury spa getaways, nature and eco-wellcations, among a host of other interesting possibilities.