I have plenty of experience with G Adventures, an excellent tour company concentrating on small groups and designated tour guides. They just announced ten new adventures dedicated to wellness combined with sightseeing. Tours are designed to help travelers slow down, find their balance and reconnect with the world.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is actually one of the fastest-growing tourism markets. Between 2013 and 2015, the wellness tourism industry experienced 14 percent growth, totaling $563 billion. Meanwhile, during that same time, the entire tourism industry only grew by 6.9 percent. And this is just the start — wellness tourism is expected to reach $808 billion by 2020.
G Adventure wellness destinations include Costa Rica, Colombia, Patagonia, Peru, Iceland, Italy, Thailand, India, Indonesia and Nepal. Trips range from seven to 13 days in length.
Regular yoga sessions, intention setting and healthy food choices are all offered on the new program of tours so that travelers return home feeling renewed and balanced. Travelers can also participate in local healing and mindfulness rituals such as a purification bath in Bali, a prayer ceremony with monks in Nepal and an ashram stay in India.
Ben Perlo, U.S. Managing Director for G Adventures, says people are looking to combine the healthy lifestyles they have cultivated at home with their explorations and vacations abroad.
“We certainly anticipate the wellness tours will appeal to women, but they are also open to men, and accessible to travelers of most ages and physical abilities,” says Perlo. “They’re for the traveler who wants to get out and explore an amazing destination, while keeping their wellness in mind.”
Each wellness trip will be led by a specially-trained G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO). This is a big plus for G Adventures. Tour leaders are not freelance guides; they are employees of the company.
In addition to exploring the destination, yoga, meditation, hiking and cycling are offered depending on the location. Tours also feature local culinary tours including market visits, tastings with local guides and cooking classes.
“At G, we are all about going farther and experiencing more,” Jill Sala, Affinity Groups Manager for G Adventures in the U.S. “Whether they crave ‘me-time’ on a solo adventure, or want to share a healthy reboot with like-minded friends and family in a close-knit group, wellness is a common interest that most of us share. We can’t wait to start booking these tours.”
