News

The New Generation of Wellness-Hospitality and Its Workforce

This is a new benchmark for lifestyle, leisure, better health, and premium hospitality. This article reviews the mounting employee tensions in the hospitality market, specifically regarding service workers and provider orientations in spa and wellness departments. Amid a time of significant global and methodical change, a new generation of hospitality is coming of age. This article examines some of the leading pressure points and the acceleration of the various challenges this market faces today. It also points to actionable solutions, unlaid tactics, and nuance to help motivate changes in this important hospitality personal-care sector.

By Mia Mackman, Owner and Principal, MACKMAN|ES

Hyatt and Kiraku Announce Plans for New Luxury Hot Spring Ryokan Brand ATONA in Locations Across Japan in 2026

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Kiraku, Inc. (“Kiraku”) today announced that ATONA, the modern hot spring ryokan (Japanese-style inn) brand, will open properties in Yufu, Yakushima, and Hakone. The ATONA brand was announced in 2022 under a joint venture between a Hyatt affiliate and Kiraku, a Japanese company dedicated to preserving valuable assets for future generations. The first ATONA ryokans are slated to open in 2026 across some of Japan’s top hot spring destinations and areas of natural beauty.

Hyatt

Japan

The Experiential Travel Boom: The Big Summer Travel Trends for 2024

Even with the economy's ups and downs, travelers are spending more on experiences. They're going for bucket-list adventures that showcase their unique passions. This booming industry is expected to reach $1.6 trillion by the end of 2024! Airbnb is also stepping up its experience game with the announcement of its Summer 2024 Icons Program. This new initiative promises a collection of extraordinary experiences hosted by the biggest names in music, film, TV, art, sports, and much more.

By Ivana Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO, Puzzle Partner

Enhancing hotel guests’ well-being: Academic insights for hoteliers

In recent years, the topic of well-being has become increasingly ubiquitous. A report by McKinsey (2024) finds, surprisingly, that millennials and Gen Z are spending more on health and wellness than older consumers. According to the Global Wellness Institute (2023), the wellness economy reached $5.6 trillion in 2023 and is forecast to soar to $8.5 trillion by 2027.

By Valentina Clergue, Assistant Professor, EHL

The Rise of Sleep Tourism

According to Hilton's third annual trends report, this year will be marked by a pronounced emphasis on wellness travel, with "rest and relaxation" identified as the pivotal trend shaping the travel landscape for 2024. Beyond the traditional offerings like spas, yoga classes at sunrise, and fitness centers with the latest equipment, the pursuit of personal wellness has undergone a significant transformation. As a result, today's travelers, whether embarking on a business trip or a leisurely vacation with friends or family, are placing a growing emphasis on prioritizing sound sleep and rest.

By Haley Payne, Head of Commercial, Pure Wellness

Recharge Mind, Body, and Soul: Four Seasons Invites Guests to Discover Wellness Their Own Way

Wellness may be one of today's hottest topics, and it's certainly a priority for travellers seeking time and space to rest, relax and recharge. But what does a wellness retreat look like for today's traveller?

Four Seasons

Length of Stay is the Best KPI for Proving the Value of Wellness Investments

The word ‘optimization’ implies the use of data and measurements for continuous business improvement, but it also implies making tradeoffs and devoting limited resources to certain tasks ahead of others. For today’s hospitality world, we are confronted by so many data points, so many partners or siloed interests and so many different activities vying for our attention or capital. To make informed, strategic decisions that will unify various operations towards a common objective, hoteliers and owners must carefully pick the key performance indicators (KPIs) that they will optimize and prioritize.

By Adam Mogelonsky, Partner, Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

More Than a Fifth of Brits Fear Jet Lag Will Ruin Their Easter Getaway as Many Call in Sick to Help Cure Their Post-Travel Woes

With the Easter break just days away, travellers across the country are set to make last-minute travel plans to avoid the predicted bank holiday wash-out-weather. It comes as independent research released today by YOTEL, the global hospitality group for those on the go, has shown that a third of us (32%) are put off by long haul travel because of the fear of jet lag.

YOTEL

First night effect: Sofitel commissioned a scientific research to perfect the Art of Sleep

Last week, Sofitel announces the results of a scientific study analyzing travelers sleep to guests’ sleep experience. Guided by this research, Sofitel will be deploying new experience rituals across all its hotels to help guests enjoy blissful nights.

Accor

In Search of Sleep: Hilton Caters to Rising Number of Sleep Tourists with Debut of Hilton Sleep Retreats

Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report found the No. 1 reason people of all generations want to travel this year is to rest and recharge. In fact, some travelers are even building their entire trip around sleep, which is a trend now known as “sleep tourism.” Sleep tourism first picked up speed in 2023 and has accelerated this year – in its recent report, the Global Wellness Institute cites Wellness Tourism as one of the fastest-growing segments of travel, projected to reach $1.4 Trillion USD by 2027.

Hilton

Check In, Work Out: Hyatt Regency Debuts New Collaboration with Personal Training Platform, Future, to Enhance Guest Wellbeing

Building on Hyatt’s purpose of care and commitment to wellbeing, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today an exclusive collaboration between the Hyatt Regency brand and Future, a personal training platform that connects users with an ongoing fitness coach to create customized virtual workouts, further complementing World of Hyatt members and guests’ wellbeing journeys.

Hyatt

United States

Innovation in Wellness: Four Ways The Purist Embraces a Holistic Approach to Wellness

As a recognized leader in hospitality wellness, Accor understands the vital role that hospitality plays in enhancing physical and mental well-being. Today, as we embark on a journey of transformative wellness with our guests, we also acknowledge how profoundly wellness initiatives can positively impact business growth for our hotels and owners. Poised to revolutionize the wellbeing journey, our newest well-being concept, The Purist, invites guests to embrace a holistic approach to wellness and discover the profound joy of complete harmony.

Accor

Holistic Well-Being: Trends in Health and Wellness Offerings at Boutique Hotels in 2024

The past few years have certainly affected our health and well-being. From somewhat constant concerns about being exposed to and catching COVID ourselves, or having it affect our family members, to long hours working from home offices and worry about childcare, the pandemic left many people feeling depleted and in desperate need of vacations that offer relaxation and recharge.

By Jennifer Barnwell, President, Curator Hotel & Resorts Collection, Curator Hotel & Resort Collection

Les Roches Commits to Specialized Education in Sports Management and Events

Les Roches

Healing Spaces: Creating a Wellness Sanctuary with Diana Stobo

In our latest podcast episode, "Transformative Wellness in Costa Rica with Diana Stobo," listeners are treated to an insightful conversation with Diana Stobo, a pioneering figure in the world of wellness and healthy living. Diana shares her compelling journey from a raw food advocate to a visionary in wellness real estate, set against the vibrant backdrop of Costa Rica. This narrative is not just about the transformation of one individual, but also about the broader implications of integrating wellness into every aspect of our lives, including the spaces we inhabit.

BLLA