40 Wellness Travel into 2021 and Beyond

WELLNESS TRAVEL INTO 2021 and BEYOND

As we come to terms with the pandemic having changed our lives and as we adapt to the new norm, there are many sectors of our lives which have and will continue to change, like a more digital society; more online shopping, be it for leisure or essentials; internet banking – many banks have closed hundreds of branches and now market themselves as ‘digital banks’; interviews will be via the PC and no longer in person. Another shift will be in our travel choices.

After months of lockdowns, sanitiser, hand washing, face masks and no human contact, combined with restrictions on movement both local, national and international, we can all do with a break; a holiday to recharge ourselves and reboot.

Travel will slowly return and many places will be replying on us travelling again to keep their economies going. With many airlines and cruise companies requiring proof of vaccination prior to boarding, it will take a while for us all to get used to it.

Our desire to travel will be great and even more so will our desire to make our wellearned holiday mean more than anything. We need a treat!

Welcome to the doom in wellness tourism.

Over the coming months and despite the availability of vaccines, social distancing will continue for some time to come, which means tourism has to adapt to cater for these new regulations.

As borders gradually open the types of holidays in demand will be different. Here is where we think the changes will be.

No Pressure, No Worries: Our mental health has had a hard time and to readdress the balance we need a vacation with no stress and no anxiety. We need to escape the past year and appreciate clean, clear fresh air and see the blue sea and green nature. Many hotels, resorts and tour operators are making these mainstream offerings rather than add-ons.

Longer Breaks: The pandemic has made many of us slow down. We have discovered that it was very necessary and now we like this new slower pace of life. No more busy schedules; we need time to have a slightly longer holiday.

Sustainable Travel & Eco-Tourism:

Throughout the pandemic, almost unknowingly, we have been living more sustainably. There already was a growing sector of sustainable tourism businesses and now destinations are no longer looking to mass tourism as it is unsustainable and many destinations simply could not cope More of us are purposefully considering our environmental impact on the kind of travel and tourism options we take. Many tourism companies and accommodation have adopted green business practices and encourage guests to enjoy supporting them during their holiday.

Immunity Booster Vacations: To be our best we need to be relaxed, have a good diet and exercise. We need an immunity boosting holiday to strengthen our inner selves.

Escape To Nature: It is well known that nature does wonders for mind, body and soul. So the demand for such vacations will be high and therefore many places are making even more effort to ensure visitors get the most out of the destination through eco-resorts, wilderness trips, green hotels, nature-therapy treatments and all with sustainability at the forefront of their offering as well as the prospect of allowing visitors to tap into the body’s ability for self-healing.

Fitness And Weight Loss Holidays: One thing the lockdown did was release the inner cook or baker in us all. Our waistbands expanded and with gyms and other sporting activities shut, we all became a different shape! Therefore holidays promoting fitness combined with a good healthy diet to enjoy while on holiday is just what the doctor ordered!

Digital Detox: The pandemic meant we were all required to be online more for continuing our lives from school teaching to meetings and attending events. We had to become technology gurus in a matter of months and it was a great challenge for many! From PCs, laptops, smart TV’s, mobile phones and tablets, we became even more dependent on our digital equipment. Therefore the need to have a ‘digital free’ vacation is something many will desire more than ever in order to re-connect with the real world; to rediscover the feel of a book and to really see what is around us. Many places already have digital free zones; digital free hours; digital free restaurants. Long may this continue!

Family-Friendly Breaks: For some people it will have been months they have not seen friends and family, so a holiday involving the extended family or friends will feed our need to get social again and with that maybe to learn a new craft or skill at the same time; from family yoga classes to dance classes or a craft lesson. The key is to do it with people!

Vegan Vacations: Not all of us will wish to become vegan or even vegetarian, but the shift into a more healthy diet will incorporate a diet with far less meat and dairy in it. Veganism increasing supports sustainability and when all combined, you are probably not as far away from this as you might imagine!