What is wellness tourism and why is it popular?

Wellness tourism is travel for the purpose of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. 

Focusing on “wellness” is a growing trend - as of 2016, 36.7 million people practise yoga in the US, up from 20.4 million in 2012.

This may have something to do with smartphones. Constant notifications from Facebook, Whatsapp and work emails leave many people feeling distracted. Research company Dscout found that people tapped, swiped and clicked their smartphones 2,617 times a day.

Interestingly, mobile apps may also be part of the solution. More than 16 million people have downloaded the Headspace app. Through bitesized meditation sessions on their mobile app, Headspace helps busy millennials find a few mindful minutes each day.

For those that want a more in-depth experience, wellness tourism offers the solution. From silent retreats to surf breaks, there are a lots of options available to travellers.

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Where can I practice yoga or meditation?

Here are a few great places that we can recommend: 

The Hermitage Retreats: http://thehermitageretreats.com/The Hermitage is a Silent Retreat Center in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.They offer Solo Retreats, Group Retreats and even Dark Retreats. During the Dark Retreat “the practitioner is deprived of all light and sensory distractions, and thus plunges into a deep witnessing awareness of the mind, and eventually experiences the perception of the inner light of pure Consciousness”. 

The Lunar Surf House: http://www.thelunarsurfhouse.com/The Lunar Surf House is a Moroccan surf house recommended by Lonely Planet. They offer surf lessons, yoga, cooking classes, creative workshops, their famous Paradise Valley excursion and a lot more! 

ISTMO Yoga and Adventure Retreat: https://www.istmoretreat.com/ISTMO Yoga and Adventure Retreat is nested in a jungle close to Panama city. They offer a yoga classes and stand up paddle boarding (SUP) adventures in an idyllic location.

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