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Luxury travel network Virtuoso is launching a Virtuoso Wellness community to address the growing wellness travel niche, predicted to reach $680 billion by next year.

The new community will launch this Sunday, Aug. 7, during an “experiential” event—called the Virtuoso Wellness Zone—at Virtuoso Travel Week  Aug. 7 to 10 at the Bellagio, Las Vegas.

The consortium said it is launching Virtuoso Wellness at a time when travelers who enjoy a healthy lifestyle are increasingly seeking out trips that reflect that aspect of their daily lives.

The 2016 Virtuoso Luxe Report identified the most sought-after aspects of wellness travel as massages and other treatments, healthy cuisine, fitness classes, environmental beauty, and sports activities.

Virtuoso’s new community—for networking, education and marketing—will bring travel advisors who serve health-conscious clients together with hotel, cruise line, tourism boards and tour operator  partners.

“Simply defined, wellness travel encompasses physical, mental and social well-being, as well as spiritual health,” said Albert Herrera, senior vice president of Global Product Partnerships at Virtuoso.

“There’s no doubt that this trend will only continue to flourish” he added. “Through our Virtuoso Wellness community, we can connect like-minded individuals and develop a true community that, through regular interactions and peer-to-peer collaboration, can share knowledge, develop expertise and ultimately work together to better serve consumers seeking healthy travel experiences.”

The Virtuoso Wellness Zone represents the community’s official launch to take place at the ARIA Resort & Casino. The Zone will extend over 6,000 square feet. Advisors will be able  to browse health and wellness products and view demonstrations of services for mind, body and spirit.

Unique experiences on display will include custom blending of aromatherapy body butters, a traditional Mexican ritual energy cleansing, paddle-boarding yoga instruction, a unique Thai massage employing silk strands, and a Turkish hammam demonstration with a customary soap foam washing.

Created by wellness professionals, just 18 of Virtuoso’s partners possessing either a wellness focus or offering multi-day health or spiritual programs, were selected to participate in the event. Their programs include a health-focused menu; yoga, meditation or fitness classes; an activity enabling guests to connect with nature, such as hiking or canoeing; and/or a full-service spa with multiple rooms and custom treatments.

The following partners will  be  part of the wellness community: Ananda in the Himalayas, BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, Canyon Ranch, Carillon Miami Beach, Clinique La Prairie, Golden Door, Grand Hotel Quellenhof & Spa Suites, Guanajuato Tourism Board, Lake Austin Spa Resort, Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, Miraval Resort and Spa, Rancho La Puerta, Schloss Elmau, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, The Ranch Malibu, Un-Cruise Adventures, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and VeraVia at The Park Hyatt Aviara.

Travelers take 586 million wellness trips each year, according to the Global Wellness Summit. The niche encompasses 15 percent of global tourism, second only to cultural tourism in revenues. It is also lucrative, as wellness travelers spend 130 percent more than the average traveler. 

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