PHOTO: Phuket’s Indigo Pearl sees sleep as a fundamental wellness treatment. (Courtesy of Indigo Pearl)

A report this past winter from SpaFinder, a media and marketing company for the spa and wellness industry, found that more than 73 percent of travelers now focus on hotel spas during the booking process. The seventh annual "State of Spa Travel" report was based on a survey of North American agents. In 2013, 73 percent of surveyed agents reported a growth in spa bookings. According to those agents it’s a profoundly "women traveling with women" or "female bonding" type of travel. While Baby Boomers have represented the core spa traveler for decades, they're slowly being overtaken by Generation X.

According to the agents “traditional pampering” remained the top priority for the seventh straight year (important to 96 percent), but last year there was increased demand for other key spa elements such as exercise and weight loss (important to 84 percent), mind-body-spirit programming (68 percent) and nature/adventure experiences like hiking, water sports and more (67 percent). At the World Travel Market 2014, Spafinder noted that the Wellness Tourism sector is growing at a pace of 9 percent annually, compared to the travel and tourism industry’s 6 percent.

According to the Global Wellness Tourism Economy report by Ophelia Yeung, and Katherine Johnston, for SRI International, Wellness Tourism is a $438.6 billion global market. It accounts for 14 percent of all domestic and international tourism expenditures. Domestic Wellness Tourism is much larger than international, representing 84 percent of such trips and 68 percent of expenditures. Through 2017, the sector is expected to grow nearly 50 percent faster than overall global tourism.

These tourists, says the report, spend 130 percent more than the average tourist. “This new research clearly reveals that more people are now choosing destinations that help them keep or get healthy while traveling, while a smaller segment takes trips with the specific, sole purpose of improving their personal well-being,” said Yeung.

SRI distinguishes between primary and secondary wellness tourists. Primaries travel entirely for wellness purposes, while secondaries engage in wellness activities as part of a trip. Secondary wellness tourists constitute the majority (87 percent) of total wellness tourism trips and expenditures (86 percent).

Spa tourism comprises 41 percent of market, but non spa-related wellness tourism such as healthy hotels and cruises; baths and mineral springs; fitness, yoga or lifestyle retreats; travel to nature parks; organic restaurants; and other healthy lodging and retail represent 59 percent of the market.

Wellness Touring, A Perillo Innovation

A simple look around the marketplace shows an almost perpetual creation of Wellness Tourism products. Perillo Tours, for instance, launched a new series of Yoga and Wellness experiences as part of its Learning Journeys line. The idea is to integrate travel with yoga practice, cultural immersion, guided tours, culinary traditions and community service projects in such destinations as Costa Rica, Greece, Hawaii, India, Italy and Vietnam.

The trips feature daily yoga and meditation, cultural immersion activities, locally sourced meals and community service projects. With a maximum of 25 guests on each trip, made up of all levels of yogis, the programs create an intimate, inclusive experience.

The series was created by the president of Learning Journeys, Carolana Dimopoulos, who besides being a tour industry veteran is also an RYT-200 Kundalini Yoga instructor with additional certifications in Yoga 4 Cancer (y4c). The combination of her personal yogic and industry knowledge is evident in the designs of the tours.

“Travel adjusts the soul, taking each experience and imprinting it on our psyche,” said Dimopoulos. “Although life is upon us and the physical act of the travel passes, people are changed permanently by the experience.”

In Greece, for instance, the program visits Santorini and Crete and combines daily yoga and meditation as well as Greek dancing, cooking with a local Greek grandmother, and a chance to support women through the Angel’s House, a women’s social project. Prices for this nine-day journey begin at $2,850 per person double.

In India, travelers will meet with experts as well as experience cultural exposures during Ashram visits, community service projects, an Ayurveda lecture, cooking and astrology lessons, ritual immersion, temple and village visit. Prices for this 12-day journey begin at $2,325 per person double.

A Detox Keith Richards Could Love

In a world where there are so many recreational toxins, recreational detox has engendered many travel products. In Provence, the Château Saint-Martin & Spa is offering a Detox Yoga Program from Sept. 21 to 29. Led by Yoga Master Sushant Pandey, the program features relaxation and wellbeing through the practice of yoga. Pandey, who is based at Ananda Himalaya a top destination spa, was recognized by SpaFinder as one of the top Spa Professionals of 2014.

The resort’s executive chef Franck Ferigutti will partner with the chef of Ananda Himalaya to create a menu consistent with Ayurveda medicine. The detox program is available in four-, six-, or eight-night varieties. Single occupancy, rates start at $992 per night in a Junior Suite; for double occupancy, rates start at $1,206 per night in a Junior Suite with program for two.

More Asian well-being is coming to another part of France as the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière has added an Asian flavor to the Champs-Elysees with the rebranding of its spa as the only Shiseido branded spa in Paris. Shiseido has 140 years of experience in Japanese treatments and Omotenashi. Guests can now indulge in the Shiseido Qi method at U Spa Barrière, which aims to revitalize the skin, body and mind through a unique beauty experience. The spa offers a selection of twenty+ Shiseido Qi method treatments for the face and body.

The 8,073 square foot spa uses subtle lighting, golden mosaics and teak wood to create a revitalizing serenity. It’s also home to one of the city’s largest indoor swimming pools, separate male and female steam rooms, sauna, eight treatment rooms including one dedicated solely to balneotherapy, as well as a 538 square foot gym fitted with the latest in cardio and muscle toning equipment.

Thai ZZZs

From now until Dec. 25, Phuket’s Indigo Pearl, is offering a chance for even the worst insomniacs to get some sleep. The Art of Sleep program features week-long escapes devoted entirely to sleeping. According to the resort sleep is “the simplest and most natural wellness therapy of all: long blissful uninterrupted nights of the deepest sleep, along with languorous lie-ins, brunches in bed, cat naps, power naps and all the lazy afternoon siestas guests desire.”

The eight- day/seven-night package includes a suite; early check in; daily in-suite Sparkling Chandon Breakfast, available throughout the day; a 60-minute couple's spa treatment in the spa Coqoon Nest, once per stay; a 30-minute evening stress relief massage for two, daily; a pillow menu and selection of aromatic oils; late check out until 6 p.m.; round-trip airport transfers; a selection of DVDs, newspapers, magazines and books in-suite.

The Indigo Pearl broke new ground by channeling Phuket’s extensive history as a center for tin mining to design an industrial aesthetic that has the feel of a combination of chic Soho hotel in New York City and a tropical resort. The resort lies near Phuket's only national park and Nai Yang beach. Shorter "Art of Sleep" experiences are available for two, three and four nights upon request.

The newly rebranded and renovated One&Only Hayman Island re-opened on July 1 with a new One&Only Spa that uses natural stone, gentle lighting and warm wooden floors throughout. The spa has 13 treatment suites, as well as relaxation lounges, sauna and steam rooms and Vichy showers.

The philosophy of the One&Only Spa at Hayman Island is centered on three essential elements: "Rest" (designed for relaxation), "Rebalance" (for restoration and balance) and "Renew" (to uplift or revive).

The resort’s new fitness center has separate areas for cardio, weight training and stretching. Guests may choose a personalized workout program tailored to their specific needs, or choose from a range of group fitness classes including "Bodyism," "Dynamic Pilates," yoga and "Beach Bootcamp."

And for guests who want to pair their fitness routine with a nutritional plan, James Duigan's "Clean≤an" well-being cuisine will also be available at One&Only Hayman Island.