Wellness Looms Large for 2022

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Since the World Health Organization acknowledged the pandemic back in March of 2020, we can all agree that it’s been a tough 18 months for the tourism industry. Yet many WTA member suppliers have seen an uptick in business. Some are reporting new trends. For instance, Melissa Amerian,director of marketing and public relations at The Ranch Malibu, California says, “People are booking further in advance—we are booked four to five months out—and guests are staying longer.

As travel resumes with wellness, an over-riding priority, here are a handful of new offerings to have on your radar for clients looking for wellness-focused trips in 2022.

1. January Wellness Musical Weekend at Melia Punta Cana

Poolside at Melia Punta Cana Beach Adults Only Wellness Inclusive. (Photo courtesy of Melia Hotels & Resorts.)

Melia Punta Cana Beach Adults Only Wellness Inclusive in the Dominican Republic will host its’ first Wellness Music Weekend Jan. 20-23. The weekend program, included with the room rate, will offer two special activities each day including a yoga session accompanied by live violin music, a 1-hour sound healing ceremony, a sunset meditation with background music, a percussion workshop, a healthy picnic accompanied by music, plus one evening concert with violin, saxophone and violoncello.

For more information, visit events.melia.com/en/events/melia-punta-cana-beach-resort/Wellness-Musical-Weekend-.html or you can e-mail the wellness sales director, Reyes Guzman, [email protected].

2. February Retreat at Strata Integrated Wellness & Spa, Colorado  

Spinning class outdoors at Strata Integrated Wellness & Spa within Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. (Photo courtesy of Strata Integrated Wellness & Spa.)

This Feb. 24- 27 Self-Care Wellness Retreat at Strata Integrated Wellness & Spa within Garden of the Gods Resort and Club in Colorado Springs offers clients—with the prime intention of self-care—an opportunity to escape to the centuries-old iconic natural setting of Garden of the Gods Park. The 4-day, 3-night retreat (inclusive of accommodations, meals, workshops, two spa services, custom wellness programing, experiences in nature plus more) will allow your clients to embark on an immersive journey of self-exploration and mind-body experiences. The rate is $4,500 pp (less for a shared room double occupancy).

For more information, visit gardenofthegodsresort.com/offers/wellness-retreat/ or e-mail the wellness retreat coordinator, Kelly Stoinski, at [email protected].

3. Immersive Programs at Joali Being, Maldives

Overwater villa accomodazione at Joali Being. (Photo courtesy of Joali Being.)

The newly-opened Joali Being in the Maldives is offering 5-, 7- and 12-night immersive programs with various themes including Weight Rebalance, Skin, and  Energy. The nature-immersive island retreat offers 68 private beach and water villas, each with its own personal butler. Each program weaves together the four pillars of Joali Being, which are mind, microbiome, skin and energy. “The ultimate aim of all our programs,” says Josy Karabolad, JOALI’S director of sales, “is for guests to return home feeling renewed, uplifted and inspired, with a new sense of ‘weightlessness’.”  Rates begin at $2,142 plus tax, per villa, per night. For more information, visit joali.com/joalibeing or e-mail [email protected].

4. Red Mountain Resort, Utah’s Spiritual Companion   

Hiking at Red Mountain Resort. (Photo courtesy of Red Mountain Resort.)

 

 

Red Mountain Resort in Utah has recently hired Mary Hogan, a trained spiritual companion who is also a level one instructor in Kundalini Yoga. With a master’s degree in pastoral studies and spiritual direction from Loyola Chicago, Hogan has facilitated groups and private sessions for over twenty years. Her designed experiences, including the Guided Labyrinth Walk, Inspiration Trail Walk & Talk and Deep Listening Session, can be added to any stay. General manager, Tracey Welsh, anticipates that these new offerings will be “particularly popular as individuals start a new year.”

For more information, visit redmountainresort.com/retreat-packages.

5. Art of Living Retreat’s Happiness + Package

Spa experiences at Art of Living Retreat Center. (Photo courtesy of Art of Living Retreat Center.)

Beginning in January 2022, the Art of Living Retreat Center in North Carolina will offer a new Happiness+ package. The all-inclusive package incorporates their popular meditation program plus an additional two days of rest and relaxation for a complete 4-night/5-day experience. In addition to three vegetarian meals each day, clients will have full access to all facilities and amenities including scheduled Ayurveda, meditation and yoga–focused workshops, plus time to decompress and schedule healing arts treatments (at an additional cost). Director of Ayurveda, Kimberly Rossi says, “Adding the two days of R & R to the Happiness Retreat is an ideal option for a client looking for an immersive experience that allows one the time and space to leave problems behind and transition into truly being open to all that is possible.” Rates for the 4-night package starts at $1,295.

For more information, visit artoflivingretreatcenter.org/event/meditation/the-happiness-retreat/.

6. An 11-day Journey Along the Salkantay Trek, Peru  

Cultural experiences with locals on Bee the Wellness’ small group tour to Peru’s Salkantay Trek. (Photo courtesy of Be the Wellness.)

Operated and guided by husband and wife team Adam and Vanessa Lambert of Wyoming, Bee the Wellness is offering a small group tour to Peru’s Salkantay Trek March 27 to April 6. The 11-day, all-inclusive (except for flights and alcoholic beverages), fully-guided journey begins in Cusco, ends in Machu Picchu and features hikes deep into the Andes mountains from Inca ruins to turquoise lakes, Paleo-based meals plus local cuisine and visits to local markets. Adam Lambert says the trip will offer clients the opportunity to “challenge their physical selves while embarking on a journey that allows them time for personal self-reflection.” Room options and payment plans are available from $6,180 pp.

For more information, visit beethewellness.com/experiences/peru-salkantay.

7. A Wellness Pass and New Developments in Greater Palm Springs

The Wellness Pass allows travelers to experience various activities throughout the city. (Photo courtesy of Greater Palm Springs.)

Visit Greater Palm Springs will launch a digital Wellness Pass in early January that will offer the community and visitors discounts and incentives at a variety of local businesses including fitness and yoga studios, spas and hot springs. “With an abundance of wide-open space and natural beauty, Greater Palm Springs has always been a hub for health and wellness seekers, offering everything from natural hot springs and world-renowned spas to outdoor experiences such as hiking in the canyons or Joshua Tree National Park,” said Joyce Kiehl, director of communications for Visit Greater Palm Springs. “This past year, we offered locals and visitors free digital mobile passes that focused on various destination amenities, from hiking and dining to shopping. With the new year approaching, a wellness pass is a natural fit for the series.”

With regard to new developments in Greater Palm Springs:

In Indian Wells, the Miramonte Resort & Spa is undergoing a $9 million renovation set to be unveiled in January. The resort’s award-winning WELL Spa offers nine treatment rooms with specialty treatments inspired by the surrounding desert, eucalyptus-infused steam rooms, outdoor meditation dens and hot and cold soaking pools.

Set on a 230-acre private estate within the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains in Rancho Mirage, Sensei Porcupine Creek is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022. The new Sensei retreat will offer a luxury wellness experience including a private golf course, world-class tennis facilities along with spa, nutrition, movement and other wellness and sports programs paired with a state-of-the-art diagnostic center, yoga and fitness pavilions, a swimming pool and a Sensei by Nobu restaurant.

Anne Dimon is the President & CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association wellnesstourismassociation.org and owner/editor of traveltowellnesss.com.

Recommend magazine has partnered with the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) to bring you monthly columns to help travel advisors sell wellness travel. For more information on the WTA, visit wellnesstourismassociation.org.