In Aug. 2019, the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) released criteria for regions to be marketed as Wellness Destinations. The WTA now officially recognizes areas meeting these standards. Antigua & Barbuda is the first country to receive this recognition.
“We are immensely proud and thrilled with this recognition from the Wellness Tourism Association,” said Colin C. James, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, in a press statement. “Antigua and Barbuda with our pristine beaches and lush landscapes offer a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquil environments. Coupled with a unique array of wellness activities tailored by professional wellness service providers, our offerings are designed to rejuvenate body and mind. Meeting the WTA’s criteria allows us to position Antigua and Barbuda as a premier Wellness Destination.”
Antigua & Barbuda: Wellness Comes Naturally
The WTA’s 2018 Industry Terminology Glossary defines these destinations as “A geographical area that fosters and promotes wellness as an integral part of life within the community and economics of the region.”
The WTA’s criteria for choosing their destinations is as follows:
- A safe/secure environment in both perception and reality
- A clean and sanitary infrastructure for both locals and visitors
- A quality of life for locals who benefit from tourism dollars—e.g. the creation of jobs within the industry and the creation of a market for locally made produce/products/services
- Natural assets such as hot springs/mountains/bodies of water/forests/resources for thalassotherapy or other natural assets within the confines of the destination and easily accessible to visitors
- Since Wellness Tourism and Wellness Travel encompass wellness for the planet, the destination must have substantial sustainability policies and practices in place
- The availability and accessibility of a wide range of wellness professionals and practitioners, including those who offer holistic and alternative modalities
- A selection of hotel restaurants and independent restaurants offering healthful cuisine prepared by chefs committed to clean eating and who work in partnership with local growers
- Availability of a range of fitness-based activities and tours—e.g. yoga, hiking, cycling, fitness classes, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding
- A physical environment that is somewhat removed from the noise that has become “daily life” in the 21st century
“It is vital to the continued growth of wellness tourism that consumers are clear on what awaits them on their travels. WTA sees the nine-point criteria as a necessary foundation for any region of the world proclaiming itself a ‘Wellness Destination,'” said Anne Dimon, president of the WTA, in a press statement.
For more information, visit wellnesstourismassociation.org.
