Experts and entrepreneurs will be taking the pulse of the booming multibillion-pound wellness sector during WTM London – the global event where ideas arrive.
Wellness tourism is currently estimated to be worth more than $639 billion a year – and growing at twice the pace of general tourism – according to the Global Wellness Institute.
Two panel discussions about making the most of this lucrative market will take place in the Inspiration Zones, while scores of exhibitors will display their wellness credentials out on the floor of ExCeL London.
The first will be Launching & Optimising Your Brand in the Wellness Space. It will explore how tourist organisations, hospitality brands and tour operators are increasingly marketing their wellness offerings.
Following the debate and Q&A session, Vomiero will demonstrate simple techniques to help delegates ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’.
The second debate titled A New Decade of Wellness Travel, will present an overview of the latest trends, look forward to the next decade in this sector and discuss the outlook with expert speakers. They will be Ozgur Cengiz, who manages the JOALI WellBeing Resort in the Maldives, and Aldina Duarte Ramos, the Global Director of Wellbeing for Accor’s luxury brands.
Meanwhile, delegates can meet more than 150 companies on the exhibition floor, which specialise in wellness. There are also dozens more hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, attractions and venues that offer wellness and spa services.
Highlights include wellness treatments launched by Hastings Hotels in Northern Ireland. The independent hotel group has a new collection of face and body treatments for those who are living with, through and beyond cancer.
Elsewhere in the UK, the Wales Coast Path will promote new guides and itineraries, and a free augmented reality app, which is part of a national initiative to get children more active outdoors.
Coming from further afield, two luxury properties from the Maldives will be at WTM London to market their wellness services.
A private island spa will open in 2020 at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa on in North Malé Atoll. The luxury wellness area is the final part of a $20 million renovation programme at the beachfront resort.
The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort in the Baa Atoll will also highlight its different wellness themes for each month. Specialist practitioners visit the resort to focus on particular areas of health and fitness, and nutritional menus at the four restaurants and bars support the themes.