Wellness Travel Trends To Watch in 2022

It's unsurprising that, in the pandemic's first year, consumer values shifted toward personal health protections across the board, but especially when it came to traveling amid COVID-19. But, by the end of 2021, people's shared concept of "health" had expanded to encompass more than just the absence of bodily illness.

A broadened definition of "wellness" emerged-due to global populations adapting to life in lockdown, with the sudden absence of social interaction, lack of accessible outlets for stress and the loss of long-held daily routines. Self-care, in its many forms, is now increasingly seen as something that's necessary, rather than as a personal indulgence.

One of the ways that people are caring for their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is by traveling, whether it's relatively close to home or across the globe. And, the criteria by which they're judging the value of their travel experiences are also changing with the times.

In its Global Wellness Economy report released at the end of 2021, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) forecast wellness tourism's annual growth rate from 2020-2025 at 21 percent. It also noted that wellness travel is expected to outpace all other sectors of the overall wellness economy. And, interestingly enough, all of the industry's highest-growth sectors are those that were hardest hit by the pandemic in 2020.

Ahead, we take a look at several trends in wellness travel that are set to make their mark in 2022-from digital detox escapes and outdoor adventures to psychedelic wellness stays and retreats that rely on animals to aid in healing humans.

People have widely begun to view travel as a means of self-care during an era in which ever-fluctuating travel restrictions and COVID-19 levels around the globe have made it difficult to attain. According to Booking.com's latest research, 79 percent of travelers, "agree that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other forms of self-care." With remote work and schooling trends keeping people largely at home, they need a change of scenery and the opportunity to "switch off" more than ever. Booking.com also reported that two-thirds (66 percent) of its 24,000 respondents said, "they didn't realize how important travel was to their wellbeing until it was no longer an option," while 84 percent said, "having a vacation planned has a positive impact on their emotional wellbeing."

While waiting out lockdowns, we've all spent far too much time sitting in front of screens, whether it's for work or school, scrolling through social media or searching for the ideal post-pandemic getaway. With a renewed appreciation for the experience of mindfully fully soaking in their travel destinations, people are consciously putting some distance between themselves and their digital devices while on vacation. According to Health and Fitness Travel, "Studies show that social media platforms, in particular, are built to be addictive and unchecked use can lead to depression, low self-esteem, body image issues, isolation, and anxiety." The wellness travel company continued, "A dedicated digital detox retreat will help you to press the reset button on your relationship with tech."

The pandemic has proven the therapeutic effects of animal interactions to many people firsthand, with pet adoptions and purchases skyrocketing in 2020 after many folks transitioned to working from home. More and more, people are bringing their pets along on road trips, and seeking out pet-friendly accommodations and experiences.

There's also the increasingly popular option of attending wellness retreats that feature animal-supported therapies, providing benefits like decreased blood pressure, stress reduction, trauma healing, improved self-esteem and greater sense of purpose. While the goat-yoga fad has recently gained a lot of exposure, animal-assisted therapy has been around since at least the late 19th century, according to HMP Global. Animals are increasingly being incorporated into wellness retreats and experiences, with equine- and canine-assisted therapies being the most prominent.

After enduring prolonged stay-at-home orders and almost two years of spending an inordinate amount of time in front of TV and computer screens, more people are viewing outdoor escapes as a privilege to be pursued. And, appreciating the healing power of nature in re-balancing mind, body and spirit. Expect to see more travelers in 2022 purposefully incorporating open-air activities into their trips-whether that's bird watching, forest bathing, stargazing, camping or glamping, or water sports, fishing, biking, hiking or nature tours.

G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip told the Toronto Star: "People want to be closer to nature…Some are way more adventurous and want to do active, strenuous treks and go up the mountains. But everyone wants just general outdoor activity." He said places that boast plenty of greenery are his company's most in-demand destinations, including Costa Rica, the Galapagos and Italy.

While there will always be vacationers who prefer more cookie-cutter vacations purely for personal relaxation, today's travelers are increasingly looking to have more meaningful experiences during their getaways.

Tourists' focus has shifted to engaging in authentic, ethical interactions with communities they're exploring, learning about and participating in the local cultures of the destinations they're visiting. "Travelers want local people to benefit," Poon Tip explained. "They want it to be a positive experience not only for themselves, but for locals."

In short, consumer values are changing. Whereas, in the past, travelers might have been disappointed if their accommodations didn't meet expectations, now, they're more concerned with having access to authentic regional fare and ensuring that animals involved in excursions are being treated ethically, Matt Berna, managing director of North America at Intrepid Travel told the Toronto Star.

Alternative medicine and natural healing methods are nothing new within the wellness arena, but there has lately been a rise in both the acceptance of the use of natural psychoactives for purposes of helping to heal mental and emotional afflictions. Increasingly, wellness programs are being offered that incorporate plant-derived indigenous therapies-such as ayahuasca, peyote or cannabis, as well as psilocybin ("magic mushrooms")-to aid in the treatment of psychological and emotional issues, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and addiction.

An AsiaOne report said Costa Rica, Peru and the Netherlands are current hotspots for travelers looking to attend psychedelic retreats, which usually also incorporate meditation, yoga and other grounding techniques. Last year, Data Bridge Market Research forecasted that the psychedelic market would grow 16.3 percent annually between 2020 and 2027, from $2.7 billion in 2019 to $6.9 billion in 2027.

Perhaps we never truly appreciate what we've got until it's gone. With social lockdowns and facilities closures, there have been limited recreational opportunities in our own locales, so physically active trips seem even more appealing than they might have in pre-pandemic time. The monotony of working, schooling, shopping and socializing from home just about 24/7 has led people to start regarding physical activity as an outlet rather than a chore.

As Berna recently told the Toronto Star, nowadays, travelers, " look for the activity first and possibly the destination second. Historically, people had a region in mind and then looked for things to do."

With increased awareness of the mind-body connection and the ramifications of being pent up all the time, people are eager for the catharsis that physical exertion affords. This trend goes hand-in-hand with people's propensity for seeking out outdoor getaways and activities that offer a welcome change from their largely sedentary existence.

People are increasingly looking to "switch off" from work mode completely in order to fully immerse themselves in their destinations, and enjoy some worry-free rest and relaxation. It's a departure from the 2021 "Bleisure" trend, which was given rise by increased job flexibility and remote work options being widely afforded to employees amid COVID-19. According to Booking.com's research, "in 2022 we'll see a significant rise in people wanting to take back control in a bid to firmly re-establish a healthy work-life balance as vacation time itself will be strictly work-free for three-quarters of travelers (73 percent) in 2022."

The mass cancellation of travel plans caused by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 (followed by further waves of infection arising from variants in 2021) allowed many would-be travelers to stockpile extra funds. On top of which, deprived of the ability to travel for so long, people are valuing the opportunity to vacation more highly. Rather than going for the cheapest option, travelers-especially those journeying for personal health and in pursuit of post-pandemic inner healing-are willing to pay more to get the experiences they're really craving. It's a phenomenon that website TheTravel has dubbed the "Splurge-cation".

The GWI's 2021 report noted: "Wellness travelers are typically more affluent, educated, and well-traveled, and they're willing to spend more on travel experiences, services, and amenities that support their health and well-being," That observation is supported by 2021 Amex Trendex report, which found that 76 percent of survey participants said, "they want to spend more on travel to improve their well-being," and 55 percent, "would be willing to pay extra for wellness activities on future vacations."

One might not immediately think of environmental and social sustainability considerations as playing a part in a traveler's personal wellness journey, but travelers are increasingly seeking out sustainable travel options, whether that means choosing travel providers that maintain a minimal carbon footprint or planning trips that have a favorable impact on local communities.

Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten Group, told Fortune this month: "Travelers these days have a greater sense of awareness about the complex climate problems our planet is facing, so the pandemic has accelerated the trend of the conscious traveler. Many more travelers are choosing their travel company or cruise liners based on their attitude and commitments towards sustainability,"

This trend also ties in with globetrotters' growing desire to engage more closely with the native people, heritage, customs and cuisine at their destinations. As Travel to Wellness poignantly put it: "The Wellness Vacation can also include 'voluntourism' experiences because 'giving back' increases one's sense of well-being and is part of living a wellness lifestyle. Environmental sustainability is also key, as both wellness living and wellness travel incorporate 'wellness for the planet'."

This trend ties in with aspects of several others we've mentioned, including taking the opportunity to disconnect from digital media, getting outdoors and closer to nature, seeking out sustainable experiences, and travelers' desire to taste authentic regional cuisine, as well as participate in local traditions.

Plus, clean eating can only contribute to one's overall wellness journey. Therefore, more wellness-minded travelers are looking for stays that incorporate farm-to-table dining, or even retreats with permaculture programs that guests can participate in.

One prime example is Hawaii's Honaunau Farm, which functions as an integrated regenerative living model that gives guests access to the farm grounds and offers courses in permaculture, regenerative agriculture and medicinal plants, along with such wellness services as massage, hot tubs, saunas, yoga and Qigong. Situated on the Big Island, it also affords easy access to Honaunau National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and outside activities like Hiking, fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, and diving among dolphins and manta rays.