Mexico leads the profitable wellness segment in Latin America

According to the World Wellness Institute, tourist trips that aim to seek welfare will generate $ 808 billion by 2020. Travelers worldwide take around 586 million wellness trips each year, according to data from the Global Wellness Summit.

It also indicates that this niche covers 15% of global travel, second only to cultural tourism; and notes that wellness travelers spend approximately 130% more than the average traveler. Among the aspects of wellness most sought after by travelers are massages, healthy cooking, fitness trends and beauty treatments based on natural products.

A report entitled Global Wellness Tourism Economy predicts that welfare tourism will grow at an average annual rate of 7.5% through 2022, considerably faster than the 6.4% annual growth forecast for global tourism in general.

The author of the report, the Global Wellness Institute, estimates that welfare tourists spent $ 639.4 billion in 2017, a figure estimated to reach $ 919 billion in 2022, representing 18% of the market of world tourism. 8.1% annual to reach 1.2 billion in 2022.

"Growth has been driven by an expanding global middle class, the growing desire of consumers to adopt a lifestyle of well-being, a growing interest in experiential travel and increased affordability of flights and travel options. "says the GWI.

"Europe remains the destination for the largest number of wellness trips (292 million in 2017), while North America leads spending on wellness tourism ($ 241.7 billion in 2017). "Asia has achieved the highest number of wellness trips and welfare tourism expenditures, with demand stimulated by strong economies and an expanding middle class."

The report highlights how wellness travelers spend more per trip than average tourists.

"In 2017, international welfare tourists spent an average of $ 1,528 per trip, 53% more than the typical international tourist," the report says. "The premium for tourists of domestic welfare is even higher. At $ 609 per trip, they spend 178% more than the typical domestic tourist. "

The lucrative nature of wellness tourists means there are many opportunities for tourism companies to "infuse welfare into their offers and capture spending," the report adds.

Cite examples such as airports and airlines, which offer spa treatments, wellness classes and healthier food options.

Meanwhile, "healthy hotels" are now in common use, with in-room gym equipment, healthy snacks and partnerships with wellness brands. A similar trend is observed in the cruise sector, with travel related to welfare, says GWI.

The number of countries that market their welfare credentials has skyrocketed, going from 65 in 2013 to over 100 in 2018.