Health Update: Wellness travel goes mainstream as 81% chase health-focused perks – What Experts Say

Singapore and Hong Kong led APAC in making sports and wellness core travel experiences.

Most Singapore cardholders (81%) with travel benefits say sports and wellness perks influenced their card choice, compared with 74% in Hong Kong, according to a Collinson International survey.

Many travellers in Singapore (29%) and Hong Kong (30%) now combine sports and wellness experiences. This is compared with 33% global average.

Wellness travel is largely motivated by relaxation and stress relief. Across APAC, 61% of travellers cited recharging and disconnecting from daily stress, a sentiment shared by 64% in Singapore and 66% in Hong Kong.

Mental and emotional wellbeing also plays a role, with 54% of Singapore travellers and 45% of Hong Kong travellers citing it as a reason for travel.

Younger travellers are increasingly seeking digital detox, with 38% of Singapore millennials and Gen Z and 21% in Hong Kong travelling to disconnect from digital life.

Sports travel is also tied to exploration, with 52% of Singapore sports travellers and 36% in Hong Kong saying that they travel to explore new cities.

Travel perks also influence usage and recommendations.

In Singapore, 52% of cardholders with travel benefits say these perks encourage more usage, and 46% say they would recommend their card, compared with 54% and 38% in Hong Kong.

Finally, 45% of Singapore travellers and 29% of Hong Kong travellers said a good travel experience significantly enhances their overall trip.