Qualifications To Be A Wellness Destination

The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has produced a nine-point list to qualify as a wellness destination. The aim is to bring some consistency to a global market where many destinations are now promoting their wellness credentials.

With wellness tourism spreading globally, geographic destinations are targeting wellness-minded travellers by claiming to be wellness destinations. The WTA seeks to bring some consistency and responsibility to the promotion of wellness tourism.

The WTA has produced a list of suggested assets and attributes that geographic destinations must possess to be able to market themselves as wellness destinations.

Should a tourism board, convention and visitor bureau or destination marketing organisation representing a town, province, state or country seek to launch a national or local programme to position the region as a wellness destination, the WTA is calling for that destination to adhere to certain criteria, to avoid confusing travel consumers.

To qualify, a destination must have:

1. A safe/secure environment in both perception and reality.

2. A clean and sanitary infrastructure for both locals and visitors.

3. A quality of life for locals who benefit from tourism (the creation of jobs within the industry and the creation of a market for locally made produce/products/services).

4. Natural assets, such as hot springs/mountains/bodies of water/forests/resources for thalassotherapy or other natural assets within the confines of the destination and easily accessible to visitors.

5. Substantial sustainability policies and practices in place.

6. The availability and accessibility of a wide range of wellness professionals and practitioners, including those who offer holistic and alternative modalities.

7. A selection of hotel restaurants and independent restaurants offering healthful cuisine prepared by chefs committed to clean eating and who work in partnership with local growers.

8. Availability of a range of fitness-based activities and tours (e.g. yoga, hiking, cycling, fitness classes, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding).

9. A physical environment that is removed from the noise that has become daily life.