Wellness tourism generates six times more foreign currency worldwide than conventional tourism. Flavio Acuña.
SANTO DOMINGO.- Wellness activities will continue to be a central theme in 2024, as travelers seek experiences that go beyond the traditional spa, according to the "Travel Trends Forecast" study by the Marriott International hotel chain, which offers a vision of how event planning and business travel are expected to evolve in the coming year.
According to the findings, 65% of respondents said they were interested in active wellness, such as jiu-jitsu or kickboxing classes, while 58% said they were interested in mindfulness-related activities, such as meditation or yoga.
As the concept of wellness evolves, travelers are increasingly drawn to enriching experiences that include creative fitness classes, informative workshops, nutritious food, and more.
The survey, conducted by the firm 72Point, of 1,000 travel agents and event organizers in the United States, suggests interesting trends about how the preferences of agents and guests have changed after the pandemic, and what they expect from the segment for 2024.
Another trend revealed is the importance of authentic cultural activities for North American travelers. Sixty percent said they were interested in local drinks and regional flavors, 59% would like to attend a local music or dance performance, and 58% are looking for an immersive experience in the local language.
As in many measurements of preference for tourist destinations, the Dominican Republic stands out as one of the preferred nations for both leisure and business travel.
The list is headed by Mexico, with 37%, followed by Jamaica (37%), Aruba (35%) and the Dominican Republic (34%).
“The Dominican Republic has all the ingredients to be the perfect destination for group travel: some of the best beaches in the world, a wealth of natural beauty and culture that invites further discovery, and excellent air connectivity with major airports in the United States and Latin America,” said Louise Bang, Director of Sales and Marketing at Marriott International CALA.
Promising outlook
Flavio Acuña, vice president of the Ibero-American Association of Wellness Tourism and ambassador in the Dominican Republic of the World Association of Wellness and Health Tourism, believes that the country presents a promising outlook for real estate investments in wellness spaces, such as facilities for yoga, retreats, hiking, camping and other wellness activities.
Speaking at the sixth edition of Real Estate Women's Day last week, the expert explained that wellness tourism generates six times more foreign currency worldwide than conventional tourism.
He revealed that 6.5 percent of the world's population is over 65 years old, and that this figure will reach 17 percent by 2025. "We must take advantage of this demographic, because they will prioritize well-being and health.".
He added that, globally, $7.9 trillion will be generated in 2025, a pie from which the Dominican economy can benefit.
Cover photo: https://nitu.mx/
