The Global Wellness Institute (GWI), an international wellness organization, has partnered with the World Tourism Organization of the United Nations (UNWTO) to implement new projects that address the role wellness tourism can play in helping increase tourism overall. “We are following with great interest the evolution of wellness tourism and look forward to working closely with the GWI on initiatives that will allow our Member States to develop this important segment,” says Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of the UNWTO. One of the key goals of the affiliation is to strategize how wellness tourism can be effective in overcoming seasonality. “This concept is a natural fit with the worlds of spa and wellness simply because these activities bring people and communities together in unique and therapeutic ways,” says Susie Ellis, chairman and CEO of the GWI. “Wellness offerings are a natural and creative way to attract more business during low season. There are great examples of countries and regions that have already implemented wellness campaigns to buck seasonality trends.” Other plans include defining standards for wellness tourism, research, and clarifying the differences between wellness tourism and medical tourism.
For more information, visit www.globalwellnessinstitute.com.