Top Trends in Wellness Travel for 2021

The word "health" itself seems to have gained gravity during 2020 and has arguably become an even more important consideration for travelers than ever before. But, amid quarantines, lockdowns and social-distancing imperatives, managing to stay virus-free is far from being the total measure of a person's overall wellness level.

In pandemic-era conditions, psychological and emotional fatigue has become almost a given for everyone, as has the challenge of finding ways to exercise physically when fitness facilities and even many outdoor spaces have been off-limits for most of 2020.

The global wellness travel experts at Health & Fitness Travel shared with TravelPulse their insider perspectives about the health and wellness trends that are emerging as the world continues to acclimate to the "new normal" heading into 2021.

2020's globalized focus on watchdogging our personal health has also caused people to examine other aspects of their overall well-being. Health & Fitness Travel said it's seen an increase in the number of folks who are pursuing travel as a means of boosting both their mental and physical health. Regular exercise, among other factors, contributes to maintaining a robust immune system, which can help you avoid getting sick and potentially lessen the severity of your symptoms if you do. In the wake of COVID-19, responsible resorts have redesigned their fitness programs and facilities' layout to accommodate social distancing imperatives, and plenty of people are also discovering distanced outdoor activities to satisfy the need to strengthen themselves physically while simultaneously soothing the mind.

Top Picks: The BNKR Health & Fitness Camp (Sri Lanka) | Lily of the Valley (France) | The Fit Retreat (Spain)

Travelers will likely spend some of the winter months enjoying an extra dose of summer in sun-drenched destinations abroad (especially since the 2020 summer travel season was effectively canceled). Destinations that demonstrate lower COVID-19 risk and with safety-certified wellness resorts are sure to be the most popular.

The team at Health & Fitness Travel predicts that these snowbirds will use banked vacation days or take advantage of expanded remote-working opportunities to enjoy lengthened stays at wellness getaways, with some even opting for season-long holidays. Spending time in healthier climates and getting in some real relaxation can help improve one's immunity after a drab year in isolation.

Sure, you may need to test and/or quarantine to gain entry, but, in some places, these travel restrictions are actually encouraging travelers' seasonal migration. Especially since some countries, including several in the Caribbean, are promoting extended-stay visas to lure the world's new wave of remote workers to their shores.

Top Picks: St. Lucia | Thailand | Mauritius

2021 will reportedly see an unprecedented number of travelers seeking domestic wellness escapes. After spending 2020 in relative isolation, sitting in front of computer screens or bingeing series on Netflix, people are going to be eager to de-stress and indulge in some self-care.

But, consumer confidence in international travel will be slow to recover, so they'll be looking for ways to enjoy either active or relaxing vacations closer to home. This might mean opting to vacation at a U.S. resort instead of going abroad, or simply booking a few days at a hotel in your own state, if even just for a change from work-from-home scenery.

Top Picks: Denver | Honolulu | Orlando

Health & Fitness Travel reports that vacations centered on boosting the immune system are becoming increasingly popular in an era where concerns about viral transmission are now a part of daily life.

So-called immune-boosting retreats answer the call for relaxation and decompression within secluded, socially-distanced environments where guests can focus on personal well-being. Such holistic getaways are often available in destinations with sunnier climates and incorporate elements like fitness classes, weight-loss programs, spa services and other specialized treatments that work to bolster the body's natural defenses.

Some retreats guide guests on their path to optimal health with the help of nutritionists, doctors or other health practitioners.

Top Picks: Euphoria Retreat (Greece) | Kamalaya (Thailand) | Ayurveda Retreat at Galo Resort (Portugal)

With the COVID-19-induced rise of remote work available to a good chunk of the population, people have discovered the allure of working from places more picturesque than their home offices.

Since today's technology enables many workers to do their jobs effectively from anywhere that has a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection, they're taking the opportunity to leave winter weather and the humdrum of their locked-down daily lives behind in favor of somewhere with warmer weather and opportunities for relaxation and wellness activities.

Many destinations, including several Caribbean islands, are possibly safer places to be amid the pandemic than your own hometown.

Top Picks: BodyHoliday (St. Lucia) | Kamalaya (Thailand) | The Retreat (Costa Rica)

Plenty of people have been forced to practice new forms of self-care amid lockdowns this year, which motivated many to take new control of their own fitness and nutrition. Learning to prepare healthy food, coming up with ways to exercise at home, ensuring that they get enough rest and finding effective methods to de-stress have become even more of a priority for much of the population. This is bound to affect consumers' travel choices for 2021, with folks opting for dedicated wellness retreats, or seeking restorative treatments and healthy activities at traditional vacation properties, in search of self-betterment. Health & Fitness Travel believes that the strengthening of this trend will last well into the next decade.

Top Picks: Training Paradise (Thailand) | Conrad Algarve (Portugal) | Longevity Health & Wellness Resort (Portugal)

Social distancing is top-of-mind for pretty much everyone contemplating travel arrangements in the pandemic era. And, to condense risk incurred in transit, people are more inclined to book one long vacation if they're going to make the effort to go on a wellness getaway. With the epidemiological situation in the U.S. being what it is, some are seeking out socially-distant wellness stays that are further away than usual, but where there is lower COVID-19 risk and more seclusion. Island nations with small populations and plenty of space (with the added benefit of warm climates) currently include Mauritius, Bali, the Maldives, St. Lucia and other Caribbean islands that have managed to keep case counts low.

Top Picks: Shanti Maurice (Mauritus) | REVIVO Wellness Resort (Bali) | Ananda in the Himalayas (India)

COVID-19 lockdowns had the side effect of easing the pressure of pollution on the environment, with skies and waters visibly clearing, and wildlife wandering into spots they'd never typically visit amid all the human activity. Residents of destinations typically distinguished by overtourism experienced a peaceful reprieve from the hordes of visitors that usually clog local life and weigh down infrastructure. Moreover, the world gained a new perspective on the massive and immediate impact of human activities.

In 2021, this means that travelers are bound to be more mindful of their own footprints and are more likely to choose resorts that are committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Ideal vacations might be to wellness resorts in Bali or Thailand that embrace a holistic approach to guests' stays and minimize their environmental impact.

Health & Fitness Travel also foresees that consumers will likely fly less frequently, planning one long-haul trip a year rather than multiple short ones.

Top Picks: Hotel Komune (Bali) | Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti (Italy) | SwaSwara (India)

As people find reasons to spend time with family members outside the home, as well as reconnect with extended family members from whom they may have been separated during lockdown, multi-generational active trips are forecast to become more common in 2021.

Lockdowns forced members of the same household to slow down, take stock and consciously make efforts to enjoy shared healthy activities like walking, running or cycling to destress and maintain balance. It's believed that many will now better appreciate the benefits of an active lifestyle and what a blessing it is to be outdoors. Assuming that the world is on the path back to "normal" by summer 2021, families and relatives will be eager to reconnect while reveling in the warmer weather.

Top Picks: Pine Cliffs Resort (Portugal) | Forte Village (Italy) | REVIVO Family Retreat (Bali)

To combat the adverse psychological effects of months spent in lockdown, and living amid an atmosphere of tension, fear and confusion during the pandemic, tailor-made getaways for relaxation and mental recovery are becoming almost a necessity.

Health and Fitness Travel sees 2021 as the time to shake off pent-up anxieties bred by prolonged uncertainties and extended isolation. Wellness and stress-management retreats offer immersive experiences where guests can detox from the cares of the outside world and can be custom-tailored to cater to each individual's needs. Wellness resorts might provide health screenings, dietary counseling, private fitness training, healing spa treatments and more.

Top Picks: Absolute Sanctuary (Thailand) | SHA Wellness Clinic (Spain) | Ananda in the Himalayas (India)

Health and Fitness Travel says that wellness travel will be redefined in 2021 by the incorporation of healing music and healthy sound experiences. New evidence offered up in medical journals has shown music to be an invaluable tool for soothing the side-effects of various physical and mental ailments, such as PTSD, anxiety and high blood pressure. Conversely, living in noisy surroundings (as most of us do these days) has been linked to an increased prevalence of heart disease, obesity, low birth weight and cognitive impairment in children.

Wellness retreats have recognized the tangible health benefits of sound experiences and are incorporating healing acoustic elements into their programs. One poignant example, Shreyas Silent Retreat offers a traditional Indian Ashram experience, in which sound meditation is an integral part of guests' journey toward wellness.

Top Picks: Shreyas (India) | Escape Ritual (Bali) | Santani (Sri Lanka)

For those who can afford it, travel by private jet is becoming more common as commercial airlines were forced to cut way back on operations as soon as the pandemic struck. Besides enjoying your own space onboard without having to worry about mingling with strangers, clients also get to skip the queues and time spent waiting in terminals.

According to Health & Fitness Travel, the risk of COVID-19 exposure is 30 times lower when traveling by private aircraft. As people continue to prioritize personal safety and wellness amid the pandemic, former first- and business-class customers of commercial airlines are likely to switch to private jet, where luxury service and personal space can be guaranteed.

Top Picks: Italy | Maldives | St. Lucia

Whereas some people have found new health and fitness routines amid lockdown, others have picked up unhealthy habits that they'll be wanting to shed post-pandemic. Paired with pent-up wanderlust, this will likely inspire plenty of travelers to "go big" and spring for that once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list wellness vacation. Seasoned adventurers are also eager to embark on weeks-long explorations after having been cooped up for so long.

In pre-pandemic years, journeys of health and self-discovery have largely been taken to Southeast Asian destinations. Places like Thailand and Bali offer a prime selection of luxury wellness retreats, complete with onsite spas and fitness facilities, and often set on pristine private beaches. Besides which, the balmy temperatures and incredible, otherworldly beauty of these destinations hold inherent allure.

Top Picks: Six Senses Kaplankaya (Turkey) | Fusion Maia (Vietnam) | COMO Shambhala Estate (Indonesia)