The Travel Institute and Wellness Tourism Association have released the second edition Wellness Travel Specialist course, revised to further enable advisor success amidst the continuing evolution of wellness travel and increased traveler demand.
On the rise for the last decade, consumer interest in wellness travel has accelerated post-pandemic with greater traveler focus on either maintaining good health or launching a pathway to better health. The Global Wellness Institute predicts a 21 percent annual growth rate, expanding the sector to an over $1 trillion market by 2024. Some travelers look to incorporate already-established wellness habits into their travel itineraries while others want their travel itinerary to help them refocus on their health. From nature-based options to more personalized and intention-based programs, from full body cleanses and digital detoxes to farm-to-table culinary experiences to sleep better retreats and other purposeful travel options, wellness itineraries have become popular not only among individual travelers but also among corporate groups looking to incorporate wellness elements into employee meetings and executive retreats.
The course provides specific, implementable business advice and tools, including strategic business planning, brand development and sales lead generation, along with practical information on wellness travel terminology, current trends, buyer profiles and a range of wellness travel products. Students also benefit with tips from senior wellness travel advisors, insight from industry suppliers, and best-practice training content and tools.
Course co-author Anne Dimon, president and chief executive officer of the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), is a long-time industry veteran who has been writing and speaking on wellness travel since the early 2000s. Dimon believes that as wellness travel continues to grow, more advisors will inevitably need to know how to serve the market.
Today, wellness travel offers wide appeal and options across all traveler price points and preferences from moderately-priced properties with access to nearby parks and healthy eating options, to high-end, exclusive properties, offering private itineraries and a personalized healthful experience. For example, the course includes the expertise of a medical doctor who is also a CBD specialist advising travel advisors on how to ensure wellness-focused properties offering access to cannabis are doing so without compromising guest health and safety.
The course is again buoyed by the support of industry stakeholders, including Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, Canyon Ranch, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence Lake Lucerne, and International Medical Group (IMG).
The second edition Wellness Travel Specialist course also incorporates the results of the WTA’s 2022 Wellness Travel Consumer Survey, a three-month online survey of nearly 1,500 consumers resulting in updated statistics on demographics; top wellness travel goals, intentions and motivations; and top wellness travel “must haves.” New insights from WTA members and other industry leaders are also included in the new edition.
Students who complete the Wellness Travel Specialist course, pass their online exam and submit the experiential checklist earn standing as a Certified Wellness Travel Specialist and, as applicable, continuing education units toward maintaining certification from The Travel Institute. Travel advisors who complete the course are also eligible for a discount on WTA membership and the opportunity to be promoted to consumers via www.traveltowellness.com, a WTA media partner. The new Wellness Travel Specialist course is also available at no additional charge for The Travel Institute’s Premium Access subscription members.
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