ILTM Hyatt and Altiant survey: Wellness tourism a priority for high-end travelers 

The growing importance of wellness offerings in hotels is highlighted by new research conducted by ILTM, Hyatt, and Altiant, which focused exclusively on high-achieving travelers and their views on travel.

The survey involved 800 online interviews conducted in the UK, US, France, China, UA,E and Saudi Arabia in October 2024, with a representative sample of travelers.

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of travelers said that wellness facilities and services are very important or essential when choosing a hotel. Spontaneous bookings made during vacations are expected to remain important and are already common practice for 69%.

Overall, more than half (54%) said they have taken a specially designed wellness holiday in the past, while another 36% said they have not but are interested in doing so in the future.

Meanwhile, the ideal length of a wellness break ranges from 4 to 8 nights, as highlighted by the preferences of 63% of the sample. Travel agencies are a focal point for wellness holidays, with almost three-quarters (71%) reporting that they are an inspiration for them, while traditional spa treatments such as spas (62%) and massage (54%) remain among the most popular services.

Tourism continues to be a priority, as many high-income travelers prefer luxury travel to purchasing material goods. Domestic travel tends to remain dominant in their preferences, especially in major markets such as China and the US.

High-income travelers are generally in good mental and physical health, although there is room for improvement in areas such as stress and sleep quality. Nine in 10 say they are trying to improve their health for the coming years, considering health the new wealth. Almost three-quarters (74%) have already incorporated wellness principles into their daily lives, and 61% are now placing more emphasis on health than they did pre-pandemic.

Wellness vacations tend to be taken by couples (67%), but there is evidence of a growing number of families opting for them, particularly in markets such as China, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. A quarter (28%) are interested in wellness vacations alone, with the figure rising to 44% for American travelers.

84% said that personalized wellness services are very important or essential to them, while personalized guidance from wellness consultants is preferred by 70%. 70% believe that wellness vacations are ideal for the whole family.

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