Defining Wellness Tourism

I've been thumbing through a great book that I'd like to share, Health and Wellness Tourism, by husband and wife authors, consultants and professors Melanie Smith and Laszlo Puczko.  The couple take a broad and innovative look at the emerging trend of tourists who choose vacation destinations for a different kind of R&R; they want to take an active role in their continued well-being and seek out treatments and experiences in far-away places.

The term "medical tourism" is no longer new, and we know by now that we need to head to Bangkok for the best-ever physical exam.  The term "wellness tourism" is more broad, and includes yoga retreats, life-coaching sessions, wellness festivals, and other activities, as well as visits to spas.  The text includes a number of case studies from around the globe, and I recommend it highly to anyone who wants to attract wellness-oriented clients to their facility; lots of great market analysis and marketing ideas.  Puczko will be at the Global Spa Summit (www.globalspasummit.org) next week, and I'm looking forward to meeting him!