Travel and Wellness: capitalising on the opportunities in this $4.5 trillion industry

How is Wellness impacting travel?

The face of travel is changing, and at a rapid pace. Trends visible in the everyday consumer experience (increased personalisation, experience over consumption, ethical and eco-friendly policies) are increasingly filtering down into consumer expectations around travel.  No longer satisfied with an all-inclusive one size fits all approach, consumers are desperate to maximise their precious time into memorable experiences which allow them to maintain (or improve) their existing nutrition and fitness routines, seek out new destinations or curated experience or 'reset' from digital overload, all whilst minimising their carbon footprint and reducing waste. Aptly summarized by the Global Wellness Institute 2018 report on the Global Wellness Tourism, "Wellness tourism is about much more than where people visit and what they do while on a trip — it is an extension of the values and lifestyle of the traveler."

Wellness travel is not just for digital nomads, eco-warriors or millennials searching for the perfect social media post. For the business traveler, optimising productivity in flight and arriving well rested and nourished (especially when travelling long haul) have become the focus. Products and services which allow frequent flyers to improve their performance when away and mitigate downtime after a trip are in high demand. 

Where should businesses start? 

Wellness represents a significant opportunity for businesses throughout the travel sector but we know taking that first step can be daunting. Change must align with the overall brand strategy and cannot come overnight: new offerings need to be implemented carefully to ensure they don't alienate the existing client base and to avoid skepticism around the motivation for the change.

Change doesn't have to be overwhelming. For hotels, providing in-room yoga equipment, tailored welcome packs or options to stream meditation or digital fitness classes on TV leaves clients free to choose whether or not to engage. For any business providing food and drink, adapting to dietary preferences and offering attractive non-alcoholic alternatives goes a long way to leave a positive lasting impression. For transport firms, being upfront about carbon emissions and waste reduction is turning into a non-negotiable, as consumers across all demographics wish to play their part in slowing climate change. 

How we can help

We can help you navigate this booming industry, advising on key trends and opportunities available to your business.  Our international Wellness team comprises experts in the fitness, nutrition, food & beverage, technology, hospitality, fashion and beauty sectors. Our breadth of expertise and understanding of the challenges presented by the Wellness industry enable us to provide a seamless service to guide our clients through all stages of business growth. 

We work with start-ups, growth-stage businesses, and well-established brands diversifying into Wellness, advising on issues such as: 

• IP and brand management, including licensing, sponsorship and brand collaborations or reputation and social media management
• International expansion strategies
• Retail, manufacturing and collaboration agreements
• Consumer law, including advertising and marketing 

To find out more, join our webinar on November 26: Travel and Wellness: Capitalising on the opportunities in this $4.5 trillion industry