The Global Wellness Institute released new data that suggests the wellness tourism market will hit $817 billion in value by the end of 2022.
Known as travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being, with a growing number of travelers specifically seeking out emerging fitness- and sports-related offerings.
The market reached a record $720 billion in 2019 but took a drastic hit in 2020, falling to $436 billion due to the pandemic.
GWI’s data shows that secondary wellness tourists — travelers who seek wellness experiences while on a trip for leisure or business — made up 92% of wellness travel in 2020.
The top five destination markets for wellness tourism expenditures in 2020:
- United States: $162.1 billion
- Germany: $59 billion
- France: $21.3 billion
- China: $19.5 billion
- Japan: $19.1 billion
Big Spending
The market is estimated to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025 — the fastest growth rate of any wellness market through that year. The projected spike is the result of wellness travelers spending more per trip than the average tourist.
In 2020, international wellness travelers spent an average of $1,601 per trip, 35% more than typical international tourists. Domestic wellness travelers spent roughly $619 per trip in 2020; a 177% spike compared to the average domestic tourist.
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