Health Update: The rise of wellness travel, from yoga to Star bathing – What Experts Say

Wellness has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years, but is it so wrong for us to be focused on our health and wellbeing? Absolutely not, and with so many others agreeing that taking care of our wellbeing across every facet of life is a crucial part of regaining control of our physical and mental health, we’ll continue to see the wellness sector thriving.

From an increase in fitness content and healthy eating plans to private medial care and ways to work on our spiritual and emotional health, the holistic approach to health has no bounds. In fact, these practices are spilling into our holidays with wellness tourism seeing a boom, with an expected value of almost one trillion by 2028, more than double than figures seen in 2022.

The idea of holidays were always to take some time away from the often stressful realities of everyday life, relax, have some fun, and then return home refreshed. But more and more in recent years, even these times have turned into quests for how many places can be ticked off in one trip, becoming ever more demanding and much less of a rejuvenating break.

Things are seemingly on the turn once again, though, with travellers seeking out stays that have the fundamental element of improving their wellbeing. Gone are the days when a visit to a spa hotel sufficed, now, luxury travellers are seeking a lot more from their travels, with activities that are more dedicated to their interests and send them home happier than ever before and with lasting positive benefits.

Wellness travel trends for 2026

Yoga retreats

Yoga retreats have been a popular staple in the wellness travel sector for some time now and they are showing no signs of disappearing any time soon. The practise itself which originated some 5,000 years ago in India has become a mainstay in holistic health across the world with users seeing benefits such as muscle strength, improved cardiovascular health and flexibility as well as stress reduction.

Yoga retreats offer a dedicated space for beginners and keen yogis alike to hone their skills and find deep relaxation in a sublime setting, with healthy food and drink par for the course, too. Destinations like Ibiza have long been associated with these breaks, but there are plenty more stunning natural hot spots across the world that offer a luxury yoga retreat immersed in stunning surrounds.

Star bathing

Immersing oneself in nature isn’t a new thing and with the likes of the aurora borealis gracing the UK skies this past year, more and more people are enjoying what the natural world has to offer. Of course, these elusive displays caused by solar activity aren’t something you can schedule in, but one things that’s guaranteed is the stars and constellations that litter the sky each night. Those wishing to enjoy the best of what the night sky has to offer can head to dedicated spots around the country where light pollution is unheard of and the ultimate views can be experienced.

The National Parks make for a good starting point with their areas of wilderness making for the perfect star-spotting location on cloud-free nights, but one place that’s dedicated to this endeavour is Galloway Forest Park in Scotland, the first International Dark Sky Park, a dedicated spot for witnessing over 7,000 stars and planets along with the Milky Way on a clear night.

Female focused medical retreats

High-end medical hotels and health retreats aren’t a new thing with behemoth hotels in Switzerland providing the ultimate in wellness programmes designed to target all areas of health. But an emerging trend we’re seeing is within female-focused care. For years women’s health issues have been sidelined but with the recent advances in dedicated research into female-specific conditions, committed care for women’s wellness is rising.

Female focused medical retreats offer a space where science-based treatments, expert-led sessions and holistic approaches are combined to offer care and solutions to issues like perimenopause, menopause, hormonal imbalances and chronic stress. Traditional and medical practices from around the world are combined to offer guidance and hands-on care in a supportive setting that combines high-end health care with a deluxe trip.