News and Insights

Reflecting on Growth Ahead of Global Wellness Day

June 13, 2025

In the past 10 years, the global wellness industry has experienced exponential growth, with an impressive increase from an estimated value of approximately $3.7 trillion in 2015 to a value of about $6.8 trillion in 2024.

Today, travelers are prioritizing holistic health, as self-care is no longer viewed as a luxury, but a necessity. This dynamic sector continues to evolve alongside shifting consumer demands, developing new takes on mental and physical wellness through transformative experiences that leave explorers feeling relaxed and restored. According to Hilton’s 2023 travel report, 50% of travellers are looking for their voyages to address either physical or mental wellness. Once secluded to spas and gyms, wellness tourism has blossomed as tourists now seek more authentic and profound activities to glean enlightenment in all aspects of life: sleep, spirituality, nutrition, mental health and more

Last year, FINN Partners released our latest wellness report “The Future of Wellness Tourism 2025”, highlighting some of the most popular ways travelers are practicing self-care.

Ahead of Global Wellness Day on June 14^th, the FINN Partners Global Travel team is reflecting on just a few of the trends that came out on top:

Nature Immersions – Walking through forests can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve your mental clarity. The Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ encourages mindfulness and a deeper connection with the natural world. Hotels and resorts are leaning into the outdoors, like Alila Ventana Big Sur, which engulfs guests in the redwoods through meditative practice, allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle and find solace in the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.

Sky-high Wellness – Companies in the aviation sector are doing everything they can to make flying as luxurious and stress-free as possible, like Air France’s new La Première suite with a flexible living space, floor to ceiling privacy and designer Jacquemus comfort wear for a good nights’ sleep. La Première passengers can also treat themselves to 30-minute spa treatments by beauty brand Sisley Paris, in the lounge.

Resident Nomads – Wanderlusters are bringing a new definition to ‘home’. Luxury real estate options like Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes bring a whole new meaning to vacation homes, allowing travelers to seamlessly experience extended stays in a holiday setting while in the comfort of their own home.

As wellness has become an integral part of the tourism industry, our leaders at FINN Partners Travel leverage their unique expertise to support our clients’ diverse set of innovative offerings to support key players who are stewarding the development within the sector.

Cathy Feliciano-Chon, Managing Partner, Asia Pacific – A research innovator, Cathy sits on the Global Wellness Summit’s Advisory Board, where industry experts continue to guide the rapid growth within the wellness sector. “Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global wellness economy, currently valued at $830 billion according to the latest report from the Global Wellness Institute. This number is expected to grow by more than 10% annually from 2023 to 2028. Virtually every aspect of the travel experience is being transformed by wellness – from airports to in-flight, and hotels to destinations,” Cathy shares.

Debbie Flynn, Managing Partner, Global Travel Practice Leader – A seasoned expert in all sectors of the tourism industry, Debbie frequently weighs in on key issues like the Global Coalition on Aging’s round table report discussing the importance of travel for longevity.

Missy Farren, Managing Partner, Consumer Lifestyle and Sports – With deep roots in adventure, sports, and the outdoors, and a passion for the mountains and the water, Missy provides guidance and expertise to destinations and hotels where travelers can take advantage of the mental and physical benefits of getting outside.

“The wellness industry increasingly recognizes our innate need for spending time outdoors, reflected in the surging popularity of activities like hiking, cycling, forest bathing, and outdoor yoga. These pursuits emphasize the vital benefits of natural light, fresh air, and green spaces. They’re proven to boost mental well-being, reduce stress, and improve physical health, while offering great opportunities to explore new places. When combined with social connection, these outdoor activities become even more powerful: socializing in the outdoors is truly the ultimate path to holistic wellness. It’s a comprehensive strategy for feeling your best,” adds Missy.

Jennifer Hawkins, Managing Partner, FINN Partners – Providing counsel for a multitude of luxury clients that offer tailored wellness options within the travel sector, Jennifer provides key insights about the shifts in wellness and presents them in FINN Partners Travel’s TrendHawk.

“Having an innovative wellness program on property is no longer a ‘nice-to-have,’ it’s a requirement. And, with the wellness tourism market projected to grow from $720 billion in 2019 to $1.4 trillion by 2027—the time is now for property managers and spa directors to turn toward industry innovations to stay competitive. Take our client, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, for example who are a revered industry leader in the spa and wellness space, the resort has proactively contributed to its tech-forward spa partners, introducing a multimillion-dollar department dedicated toward ‘touchless treatments,’ like mental health-bolstering mediation services and vibroacoustic electromagnetic infrared technologies. As we look to the future, we’ll see an influx of both such tech-forward technologies, as well as wellness services that encourage guests to detach completely, with more phone-free offerings and detoxes from hyper-connection moving forward,” Jennifer states.

Wellness is an ongoing journey, and organizations in the wellness sector now offer endless paths to embark upon. As this industry continues to boom, the FINN Partners Global Travel team is thrilled to guide our clients and travelers alike on this unique avenue to fulfillment.