Media Contact: Beth McGroarty
[email protected] • +1.213.300.0107
Agenda for the 2018 Spa and Wellness Travel Symposium
at the Arabian Travel Market Announced
Organized by the Global Wellness Institute, the April 23 symposium will explore eye-opening new global and MENA wellness tourism trends, including the shift from experiential to transformative wellness travel
Miami, FL – April 16, 2018 – The agenda for the 2018 Arabian Travel Market’s Spa and Wellness Symposium is set, and the Global Wellness Institute-organized event will feature 16 tourism and hospitality experts presenting important new wellness tourism trends globally and across MENA – with a key focus on the shift from “experiential” to a more “transformative” wellness travel. Attendees will also get a sneak preview of GWI’s upcoming research on developments in Middle East and North African wellness travel and spa markets, in advance of the much-anticipated 2018 Global Wellness Tourism Economy Monitor being released at World Travel Market in November. And to bring wellness approaches tangibly to life, the symposium will be an experiential theater, with numerous experts and master practitioners demonstrating everything from color therapy to Ayurvedic medicine.
The 2018 symposium is part of an ongoing partnership between the Global Wellness Institute and Arabian Travel Market and World Travel Market. “The Wellness Showcase: Wellness Experiences & Travel Trends 2018” takes place Monday, April 23 from 2:30-5:30 PM in the ATM’s Showcase Theater.
The topic and speaker lineup is here.
“Wellness travel will continue to grow at a powerful pace: 7.5% every year through 2020, or more than twice as fast as tourism overall. We’re thrilled to again partner with ATM to share the most important wellness travel trends, and give the travel industry some bankable predictions for the future,” said Susie Ellis, GWI chairman and CEO. “In a few short years, wellness travel has become utterly mainstream and an incredibly competitive and creative market. Understanding shifts in the landscape is a must to understand travel in general, and its future in particular.”
What’s Trending in Wellness Travel?
Major trends that are heating up in wellness travel will be explored, with special attention paid to a macro shift underway from “experiential” to “transformative” wellness travel: what that means, the aspects of the trend, and how travelers now seek (and destinations are innovating) more emotional, life-changing journeys versus disconnected itineraries, classes and treatments. The symposium will also feature experts from tourism organizations, including Linda Abdullah Ali Ruhi from Dubai’s Health Tourism Council and Carol Hay of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, sharing their unique strategies for attracting the healthy-minded tourist. Attendees will learn about the most innovative new properties, including Lorena Kim Lustenberger introducing Switzerland’s new Burgenstock Resort.
Exclusive Preview: Key MENA Developments
In early November, at the WTM in London, the Global Wellness Institute will release a complete update of its Global Wellness Tourism Economy report, providing all new data, trends and insight on worldwide markets – from figures on wellness trips and expenditures to the breakdown of international/domestic and primary/secondary wellness travelers to (for the first time) the average spending of primary and secondary wellness travelers in top-market countries. Symposium attendees will get a sneak peek of their coming research for the MENA region, spotlighting interesting new wellness travel and spa developments from the UAE to Saudi Arabia to Tunisia.
Wellness Approaches Brought to Life
Experts will present numerous body, mind and spirit experiences live on stage. For instance, Dr. Abhishek Jain of WTS International will demonstrate popular ayurvedic modalities, while other master practitioners will showcase the new “smart” wellness screening and skin analyses, acupuncture, herbal medicine, tai chi, kung fu, color and aromatherapy, sound/vibrational therapies like Tibetan singing bowls, and laughter yoga.
For more info, contact Beth McGroarty: [email protected] or (+1) 213-300-0107
About the Global Wellness Institute: The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), a non-profit 501(c)(3), is considered the leading global research and educational resource for the global wellness industry, and is known for introducing major industry initiatives and regional events that bring together leaders to chart the future. GWI positively impacts global health and wellness by advocating for both public institutions and businesses that are working to help prevent disease, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life. Its mission is to empower wellness worldwide. www.globalwellnessinstitute.org
About the Arabian Travel Market: ATM is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM attracts around 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing on deals worth US $2.5bn over the four days. www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com.
