Wellness Tourism Worldwide Announces Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014

2nd Annual Forecast Pre-Release.

Los Angeles, CA, USA (October 30, 2013) -- Wellness Tourism Worldwide, a leading wellness travel business, is pleased to announce the release of its "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends of 2014". The forecast is based on data collection and research conducted throughout the year that consolidated trends across several sectors and industries to bring practical knowledge to both individuals and businesses.

WTW's data and trend analysis included: site visits, literary review, surveys, interviews and feedback from consumers, travel trade, healthcare professionals, wellness experts and academia.

Camille Hoheb, wellness travel industry expert and founder of Wellness Tourism Worldwide and Editor of the Wellness Travel Journal noted, "The multi-dimensionality of wellness opens the door to a whole new world." She added, "This forecast will encourage consumers and business to think of vacation travel in new ways. Our data shows that consumers view vacations as an important way to improve health, happiness and productivity. Vacation trips are often a catalyst for transformation and consumers view wellness travel as a personal investment."

While last year's forecast focused on the impact of wellness on air transit, hotel accommodation and destinations; this year's report is focused on business and marketing strategy. The report, "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014: Boosting Sales & Maximizing Profits" will be released in January.

Snapshot: Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014 (descriptions below)

1. Mind Matters

2. The Rise of Wellness Travel Agents

3. La Local Vita

4. Breaking Bread with Wellness Travel

5. Vacation RX

6. Looking for Personal Enrichment

7. Burgeoning Secondary Wellness Market

8. Slow Travel

9. Affluent & Altruistic

10. Spas on a Mission

Mind Matters:

Consumers have caught on to mindful vacations that offer mental restoration. Practices learned on a trip such as meditation, yoga, qi going and journaling can be incorporated at home to help manage stress, improve cognitive capacity and maintain emotional equilibrium.

The Rise of Wellness Travel Agents

With the growing interest in trips to enhance mind, body and spirit, wellness tourism has created a new niche for travel agents to grow or expand their business while offering a personally and professionally rewarding career specialty.

La Local Vita:

Consumers have developed a deeper appreciation for locally relevant and authentic experiences with an emphasis on living "la local vita" (the local life). Mindsets have shifted away from tourist behavior to a keen interest in community-based exploration where getting to know the locals in a meaningful way sweetens the experience.

Breaking Bread With Wellness

Food tourism is a big trend intersecting with wellness travel. In addition to the physical aspect of sustenance; food tours, cooking classes, agriculture and farm-to-table experiences speak to the emotional, social, intellectual and sustainable aspects of well-being.

Vacation RX:

"Take 2 weeks and call me in the morning." Physicians are now prescribing vacations as an antidote from stress. Doctor's orders for physical activity in parks are also being written to help combat obesity and diabetes in children.

Looking for Personal Enrichment

With the understanding that wellness is more than fitness and nutrition, consumers are choosing trips that either focus solely on personal enrichment or as a part of their travel plans. Many consumers are viewing vacations, weekend getaways and retreats as a catalyst for change.

Slow Travel:

Have you ever felt pressured to run through your vacation checking off sites to see and things to do? Slow travel advocates changing the pace in order to sip, savor and revel in the vacation experience.

Affluent & Altruistic:

Spurned by personal growth and discovery, affluent travelers value experiences connecting them to charitable causes and local communities. Volunteering on vacation has become increasingly popular and research shows altruism can improve well-being.

Burgeoning Secondary Wellness Market: There is a large segment of travelers who may not opt for wellness retreats or tours but are committed to maintaining their healthy lifestyle on the road. Air transit and hotels are investing resources to attract these guests that are both business and leisure travelers.

Spas on a Mission:

The spa industry is staking a claim on wellness tourism and on wellness in general. Eager to shake the image of pampering for the affluent, spas are repacking and rebranding as wellness providers to attract a larger market.

To request a free download of the Infographic "Top 10 Wellness Travel Trends for 2014" please go to http://www.wellnesstourismworldwide.com.

About Wellness Tourism Worldwide

Wellness Tourism Worldwide's (WTW) mission is to improve well-being and economic growth through travel by providing market intelligence, education, training, and promotion of wellness travel to destinations, suppliers, sellers and consumers. Our consulting team is responsible for tourism education, development, branding and promotion, healthy destination accreditation, spa operations, hotel management, leisure travel sales, hospital administration & health promotion. WTW publishes the Wellness Travel Journal (WTJ), a monthly e-publication inspiring, educating and motivating readers to invest in themselves through wellness vacations and retreats. Our B2C approach offers advertisers a direct line to consumers worldwide while also linking buyers to suppliers, making WTJ a valuable resource for industry and consumers alike. (http://www.wellnesstourismworldwide.com)

Contact: Camille Hoheb | camille@wellnesstourismworldwide.com | 310 720-1755