“Destinations that offer truly innovative wellbeing experiences will be the success stories of tomorrow, and are best positioned to be a more competitive and profitable future product,” said John Bevan, Chief Operating Officer, Spafinder Wellness, Inc.
“According to our 2015 State of Wellness Travel Report, almost nine in 10 travel agents said they expect to see growth in the wellness travel for 2015,” he added.
GWI statistics show that wellness tourism represents 6% of all domestic and international trips, and 14% of total domestic and international tourism expenditure.
“Wellness tourists spend, on average, 130% more than the average international traveller, which presents significant opportunity for the MENA hospitality industry to target this high profile, high spend market segment with a wide variety of experiences, facilities and products to grow market share,” said Noblet-Segers.
Designed to be a hub for wellness and spa professionals, the lounge will host two full days of pre-scheduled appointments with high caliber Middle Eastern buyers and up to 25 international wellness suppliers.
Regular ATM exhibitor Carlsbad Plaza Spa & Wellness Hotel will be joined by a host of first-time exhibitors including Groupe Lucien Barrière, Casale Panayiotis Traditional Village, Verdura Resort, CCR Hotels & Spa, Swiss Diamond Hotel, Divani Collection Hotels, HL Le Mirador International, Chenot Group, Velaa Private Island Maldives, LifeClass Hotels & Spa, Sianji Wellbeing Resort and Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda.
A wellness seminar, which will take place in the Showcase Theatre, is scheduled for Wednesday 27 April under the theme Wellbeing Hospitality – Competitive Concepts for Hospitality and Leisure Assets.
Chaired by Laszlo Puczko, Group Managing Director, Resources for Leisure Assets, the session will analyse the importance of developing a wellness-focused strategy interconnected to wellbeing attractions and services that are vital when creating a holistic and unique hospitality experience.
The spa and wellness theme is only a part of a packed agenda being developed for ATM 2016. The main theme is mid-market travel, but other highlights include, technology, halal tourism, business travel, technology, responsible tourism, shopping, aviation, culture and heritage, and adventure travel.
ATM 2016 will build on the success of this year’s edition with the announcement of an additional hall as Reed Travel Exhibitions looks to add to its record-breaking achievements earlier this year. ATM 2015 witnessed a year-on-year visitor attendance increase of 15% to over 26,000, with exhibiting companies increasing by 5% to 2,873. Business deals worth more than US$2.5 billion were signed over the four days.
