With tourists spending more money on 'wellness' vacations, the Palm Springs area hopes to cash in

Sherry Barkas
Palm Springs Desert Sun
The greater Palm Springs area is a premier health and wellness destination with an average 350 days of sunshine per year, stunning views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, roughly 140 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, therapeutic mineral waters and more.

The Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau has joined a newly formed health and wellness travel consortium in an effort to broaden its draw of an increasing number of travelers looking for vacation spots with some health components.

The mission of the nonprofit Wellness Tourism Association, based in Denver, is to further grow and develop the industry through education, communication and marketing.

“Travelers are not only seeking out opportunities to relax by the pool, they’re also interested in a range of wellness options – from spa treatments and meditation classes to fitness adventures and just taking a time out in nature – all experiences that our destination offers,” Scott White, CVB president and CEO, said.

In its 2016 Destination Development Plan, the CVB identified health and wellness as one of its primary tourism growth strategies.

The United States outranks all others as the top “wellness nation,” driving nearly 4 in 10 wellness travel dollars spent, according to the Global Wellness Institute’s 2016 Global Wellness Economy Monitor. That amounts to about $202.2 billion – or 36 percent – of the annual $563.2 billion global market.

The Wellness Tourism Association states that a typical wellness vacation, retreat or holiday might include an all-inclusive package with accommodations, healthy meals and fitness or other wellness-related activities. Membership fees for CVBs is $3,500 per year, according to the WTA website.

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Many other types of travel and vacation options can also fit the realm of wellness tourism when and where there is a secondary benefit. Vacations that include activities such as walking tours, hiking, cycling or kayaking; yoga or meditation sessions, spa treatments or healthy culinary activities are examples.

The greater Palm Springs area boasts an average 350 days of sunshine per year, views of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains, roughly 140 trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, therapeutic mineral waters and more.

“The (Coachella Valley) region has so much to offer under the banner of wellness tourism including a wealth of signature natural attractions, a range of wellness practitioners, numerous fitness-based activities and so much more in this beautiful oasis of peace and quiet,” Wellness Tourism Association chairman Andrew Gibson said.

Started in January, the WTA is designed to promote the wellness tourism sector through networking, education, communication and marketing. Membership is open to qualifying destination marketing organizations, hotels and resorts, destination spas, tour operators, travel advisers, wellness educators and other professionals with an interest in supporting the industry.

“We anticipate working very closely with the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as our members, to help further sustainable growth and development of wellness tourism, globally,” Gibson said.

Desert Sun reporter Sherry Barkas covers Tourism and Families. She can be reached at sherry.barkas@thedesertsun.com or (760) 778-4694. Follow her on Twitter @TDSSherryBarkas