MENA second-fastest growing region for wellness travel

The Global Wellness Institute have released new data revealing the top ten, fastest-growing Middle East/North Africa (MENA) wellness tourism markets. MENA is the second-fastest growing region in the world for wellness travel and this new data reveals that the growth powerhouses are the UAE, then Israel followed by Morocco. It has been estimated that these three countries will add one million wellness-focused trips from 2012-2017. Many (politically stable) countries across the Middle East/North Africa will also double the number of people visiting for wellness trips in those five years. The spa resort building explosion in GCC countries and the revitalisation of indigenous hammams and baths that appeal to the authentic-experience-seeking traveller are thought to be the causes for the growth. “For many Middle East/North Africa nations, wellness tourism is growing twice as fast each year as tourism overall – and their wellness-focused trips will double in five short years,” said Anni Hood, director, wellness tourism for the GWI. “So many forces are fueling this growth. The region’s luxury spa resort boom (especially in GCC countries) and the revitalisation of indigenous practices (like hammams and baths) that appeal to the authentic-experience-craving modern traveller are driving inbound trips. Wellness travel within the region is also being spurred by rising incomes, which have also meant a serious rise in unhealthy lifestyles and chronic disease, so more people are seeking healthy travel.” Read more breaking news on the Professional Beauty website here.