My first brush with the idea of a wellness retreat was about seven years back. My colleague, a fellow journalist, had come back from a 10-day long Vipassana retreat. Although she was mighty impressed, I knew it was not for me as soon as she mentioned that it entailed being silent and away from your phone for almost the entire duration. Although it might detox my body and soul, my FOMO will trigger my anxiety and ensure all scope of mental peace is shattered to smithereens. It was pre-covid days and to most of us, the idea of self-isolation was still alien, silence a scary proposition, and ‘inner peace’ a concept found in the Kung Fu Panda movies.

“Vipassana is a way of life. It is all about breathing. With one’s breath one can work wonders. When one attends the first course it’s like taking admission in kindergarten. Vipassana is a silent retreat. It is one of the oldest forms of meditation, and was discovered by Gautam Buddha in India,” says Kapil Malhotra, the 59-year-old owner of Dell Art Inde, a family-run jewellery shop at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, who went for his first Vipassana course in 2002 at Dhamma Tapovana, Igatpuri and is just back to civilisation finishing his most recent stint. And it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But baby steps. Wellness industry, especially wellness tourism has something for everyone—and it is not (yet) a threat on your right to freedom of speech and expression!  

What is it anyway? 

 The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal wellbeing. It is the powerful intersection of two large and growing multi-trillion-dollar industries: tourism and wellness. 

“Travellers are increasingly seeking experiences combining relaxation, fitness, mindfulness, and healthy living. Wellness tourism, including yoga retreats, Ayurveda, and naturopathy, is growing. As environmental awareness increases, travellers seek eco-friendly destinations and sustainable practices,” says Devadatta Naik, General Manager, SwaSwara, Gokarna, the over 18-year-old forest sanctuary that caters to those who are seeking a wellness-focussed holiday as well as those seeking therapeutic retreats to address a medical issue.  While the concept of wellness retreats, spas and nature cure centres is not new, the last few years have seen a renewed interest and faith in it.

The Pandemic Effect 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly influenced travel trends, particularly in wellness and spiritual tourism. The pandemic highlighted the importance of immunity and mental well-being,” says Dr Bejoy Mathew, Spa Head, Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, an ultra-luxurious resort offering bespoke spa, yoga, and culinary experiences. “Following the period of quarantine during which emotional stress heightened, when we experienced isolation from nature, from friends and family, we came to realise that slow, mindful and balanced living is essential to a healthy mind and body,” says Shruti Shibulal CEO and Director, Tamara Leisure Experiences.  

These learnings are reflected in post pandemic travel trends where travellers seek out multi-faceted options for wellness ranging from forest treks and yoga (for a combination of mind-body wellness) to immunity-boosting foods and clean diets (to strengthen physical wellness and lean into sustainable living). Post COVID, the relationship between nature and human health has become more evident, and people are seeking to reconnect with nature, reduce stress, and adopt healthier lifestyles. “This shift emphasises open spaces, remote locations, and immersive experiences promoting well-being while minimising environmental impact,” adds Naik.

People are increasingly viewing travel experience from a wellness lens and trading fun getaways for result-oriented vacations. The Global Wellness Institute estimates that wellness tourism will reach a record $1 trillion by the end of 2024 and $1.3 trillion by 2025. 

According to Karl Vazifdar, the co-founder of luxury conscious travel company TealFeel, although there’s no obvious relatable data to show an increase in wellness tourism, it’s fair to say that with the spotlight on health, there is a resurgence in overall wellbeing related travel. The pandemic highlighted our physical vulnerabilities. It simultaneously showcased the way that we are made more vulnerable when we disconnect from the longstanding knowledge that our health is a composite of our mental and physical state. 

While the pandemic increased the awareness of health and well-being, there is also renewed interest and focus on preventative health care, holistic health like never before. “Although, we initially expected a surge in travellers seeking immunity-boosting treatments post-pandemic, we have observed only a modest number of clients specifically requesting such therapies. However, the increase in mental health awareness has led many travellers to seek refuge in wellness retreats that offer mental health support, stress relief, and relaxation activities. Yoga, meditation, and wellness consultations have seen an uptick as travellers seek not just physical recovery but also emotional and spiritual healing,” reveals Dr Mathew. 

The various physical as well as mental impacts of the hustle culture, especially the growing stress levels, have made wellness the one of the fastest-growing tourism segments, especially in the luxury travel market. “Specialist wellness resorts or resorts with specialist wellness programs are popular destinations for individuals seeking regenerative and holistic approaches to health. Luxury travelers today have access to luxury retreats in natural habitats across the globe that offer the creature comforts and the best-in-class therapies,” says Vazifdar.

India Calling 

Internationally, the wellness industry is moving towards a holistic approach to health, integrating multiple disciplines such as Ayurveda, naturopathy, physiotherapy, and dietetics to offer comprehensive healing experiences. Travelers are no longer looking for single-discipline treatments but rather a combination of therapies that address physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. And India, being the birthplace of Ayurveda and yoga, is well-positioned to be a global leader in this holistic wellness movement. “India is the holy grail of holistic wellness. We have the inherent advantage of having the most ancient and comprehensive sciences from our traditional knowledge systems of Ayurveda, yoga, Vedanta and nutritional and herbal medicine,” says Nikhil Kapur, co-founder and co-director of Atmantan Wellness Centre.

In the post-pandemic world, India’s wellness traditions especially Ayurveda and yoga, are not only popular but prioritised by the growing segment of health-focused travellers. “These holistic healing experiences, whether rejuvenate retreats or curative treatments, that stem from India’s cultural depth and spiritual history are further bolstered by India’s beautiful and diverse landscape. Add to this, India’s continued commitment to sustainable travel has led to the emergence of comprehensively conscious establishments. Together, these factors serve to comfortably rank India among the world’s most alluring wellness destinations,” says Shibulal. In fact, in an attempt to make these traditional systems of medicine its next big tourist draw the government has introduced the Ayush VISA and in the Interim Budget for 2024, it allocated a total of Rs 2,449.62 million to the tourism sector. 

“Moreover, India's diversity of wellness destinations—from the serene Himalayan retreats to the tranquil coastal wellness resorts—ensures that it remains a top choice for travellers seeking spiritual and physical rejuvenation. This makes India a central hub for those looking to engage with wellness tourism on a deeper, more meaningful level,” adds Dr Mathew.  

According to Mordor Intelligence, the size of the country’s wellness tourism market is estimated at $19.43 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $26.55 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 6.45 per cent during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The GenZ invasion  

 “A few years back, this sector was predominantly occupied with a niche market comprising older and affluent people. However, in recent days we see the trend of younger generations shifting the focus towards wellness-based sustainability travel,” points out Dr Ranjitha Alva, Spa Manager, Four Seasons Hotel, Bengaluru. “Mental health challenges, the fast pace of life, those craving work-life balance, is some of the reasons why wellness tourism is seeing an increase across demographics,” explains Vazifdar. 

GenZ is a diverse group. Their influence on society is only growing with every passing year. They are more socially conscious and are especially concerned about mental wellbeing. They are more open as they seek our support for stress management, anxiety and depression. “In FY 24, 13 per cent of our audience are those born between 1990-2000. We have a smaller audience of those born between 2000-2010… but these are those who choose to come to us with clear goals and longer stays,” says Kapur. 

In fact, both GenZ and younger millennials are increasingly drawn to experiences that promote mental and physical well-being, environmental sustainability, and mindfulness. “Sustainable practices like eco-friendly accommodations, locally sourced organic food, and responsible tourism have become key deciding factors for them,” points out Dr Mathew.

The Trends 

The zeitgeist of travel for the foreseeable future is likely to remain one that conjoins comprehensive sustainability and holistic wellness in a wide array of options spanning the close, mindful exploration of nature, cuisine and traditional remedies as well as local culture and history. “Emerging trends reveal a shift towards eco-tourism, wellness retreats, sustainable travel, and personalised wellness experiences, where travellers connect with nature, adopt environmentally conscious practices, and receive tailored guidance from experts. Digital detox, mindful travel, and plant-based wellness are also gaining popularity,” says Naik. 

According to Kapur, emotional wellness is presently most sought after. “A new thing is women taking menopausal holidays where they learn to holistically balance their chakras (and hormones), heal from the inside out, anti-age, and live with like-minded travellers who support and enhance their mental well-being,” he reveals.

While women travelling for healing has become quite popular over the years, there is a rise in male solo travellers. “Solo women have always been and continues to be a big part of wellness travellers. However, we see an interesting increase in solo men travellers. Men are open to working on their health and they realise that for long stay healing programmes they need to be with like-minded individuals and hence it is not always possible to travel with your partner/family member,” says Kapur. Also, a large number of individuals suffering from pain or lifestyle disorders, are also flocking to these retreats. “These when addressed holistically leads to long term management and even reversal in certain cases,” Kapur adds.

Nature-centric experiences as a way to mitigate stress and anxiety are increasingly sought-after. Forest treks, stargazing, bird watching, organic farm and plantation tours, and so on, are made popular by travellers who seek mindful relaxation through an immersive experience with nature.  

According to Dr Alva, wellness is increasingly getting integrated with technology, which offers more personalised and accurate wellness experiences. “Bio-hacking and personalised wellness is a big trend. Many of the Four Seasons properties abroad including Four Seasons Bengaluru have already implemented these innovative approaches using technology and science to enhance health,” says Dr Alva. 

“The industry is evolving with many new trends like mindfulness retreat, holistic well-being retreats, farm-to-table cuisines integrated with wellness, adventure wellness,” she adds. According to her traditional healing practices and indigenous rituals, are also becoming popular. Additionally, there is a shift towards restoring the natural ecosystem and decreasing carbon footprint.

What to opt for 

The choice between a wellness retreat and a resort spa depends on individual preferences and needs. Those seeking a deeply personalised and transformative experience will prefer an exclusive wellness centre. The key highlights of a wellness centre are highly personalised health plans, a holistic approach, an immersive environment, a medical team for supervision, and a NABH certification. “Wellness centres are quasi-medical facilities. It is meant to manage/treat chronic conditions and is not suited for individuals who are suffering from acute conditions and need medical/hospital intervention. While those looking for a relaxing holiday with a variety of spa services might opt for a resort spa,” Kapur explains.  

An exclusive wellness retreat offers a focused, holistic experience, unlike a resort with a spa. While resorts provide relaxation alongside leisure activities, wellness retreats are purpose-driven, with personalised programs for detox, stress relief, and mental well-being. “In short, wellness retreats offer a deeper, immersive journey dedicated entirely to well-being, while resorts offer a more general relaxation option,” says Vazifdar cautioning that the challenge in anything therapeutic is always to go to a reputable source where treatments are conducted by professionals and products are genuine and meet the ultimate objective of making one well in the long run, not the immediate future.

1. Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi 

What it offers: Spanning 42 acres of lush Sahyadris, overlooking the pristine Mulshi Lake near Pune, this GOLD LEED certified National Tourism Award-winning international luxury wellness centre is a quasi-medical facility that scientifically researched integrated wellness, Atmantan marries Indian traditional sciences of Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga with energy healing, physiotherapy, oriental medicine and other alternate sciences. 

Pocket Pinch: The popular all-inclusive wellness programmes will cost around Rs 26000 per night per person. There are also options starting at Rs11000 per night for individuals aged between 16 and 25 years and/or are looking for long stay programmes (6-8 weeks plus).  

2. CGH SwaSwara Wellness Retreat, Gokarna

What it offers: SwaSwara, the 26-acre forest sanctuary near Om Beach, provides an immersive wellness experience that fosters long-term wellness. It offers in-depth healing experiences tailored to individual needs (their medical teams of ayurveda and naturopathy doctors draw up personalised programs after a thorough consultation), combining holistic wellness programs (ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga, meditation), customised cuisine using whole, locally sourced organic ingredients, among other things. 

Pocket Pinch: The price for the Swa Wellbeing holiday program for three nights onwards starts from Rs 105000 and the Curative programs for both ayurveda and naturopathy, which are open only from 5 nights onwards, are priced are Rs 1,84,500 

3. Niraamaya Retreats, Kovalam

What it offers: Partially focused on ayurveda, this retreat currently caters to a broader audience, including leisure travellers and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) clientele. However, it is looking at fully embracing wellness as their core identity and are working towards transforming the retreat into fully integrated holistic wellness destination. 

Pocket Pinch: A basic wellness package can start around Rs 25,000 per person for a three-day stay. They offer personalised packages tailored to the unique needs and preferences ensuring a bespoke experience. 

4. Amal Tamara, Alappuzha

What it offers: This is a NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) certified ayurvedic resort offers longer-term, curative and comprehensive treatments for specific ailments including anxiety and stress or lifestyle related disorders. 

Pocket Pinch: A 7-day package starts at Rs 2,53, 623. 

5. Four Seasons Hotel, Bengaluru

What it offers: Personal Wellness at the hotel includes Infuse Spa with relaxing and spacious therapy rooms, state of art fitness centre, chlorine free swimming pool, and yoga studio. 

Pocket Pinch: A Balinese massage for 60 minutes costs Rs 5800. There are a few complimentary sessions like Sunrise Yoga, Get Fit sessions for Four Seasons residents, hotel guests and gym and spa members.