This year I had the fantastic experience of attending the Global Wellness Summit, which has held at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. The professionals that attend this amazing event are at the forefront of the global wellness movement across a wide array of industries. The speeches, presentations and forums were of the highest calibre, with future thinking, ground breaking technology and what is happening across the planet being discussed and discovered. We had glamorous evening events to attend, round table lunches and the opportunity to meet the best in the spa and wellness industry. Inspiring on all levels!
The eight wellness trends that emerged this year were the most left of field I have ever seen and can be found on the GWS website, so if you are reading this blog I will let you discover those for yourself. My personal favourite take homes were as follows;
Healthy Building Design: Why It’s a Smart Decision for Businesses and Investors - Delos presented research on guest satisfaction, loyalty and behaviours related to staying in hotels that offered a wellness environment via the stay well rooms. The results were very impressive and should certainly have hotels considering this approach.
Millennials are not Wellness Newbies: Presented by Good & Well - This was a fantastic presentation on the trends and behaviours of millennials in regards to wellness. Influencers have a major impact on a business having millennials as followers and are more likely to attract attendees to their retreats.
Other Interesting Points Learned at GWS were;
Energy is 4 dimensional - Physically energised, spiritually aligned, mentally focused, emotionally connected
Energy expenditure has to be balanced with energy recovery
Depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion dollars in lost work days
People actually become happier as they age
Technology opens up Wellness and mental support to all people
Eyes are direct connection to the brain and if we can stimulate the brain through the power of nature it will have a positive affect
Hotels need to integrate authenticity and sustainability
When sustainability is only an economic drive the intention is upside down
Equanimity within and compassion without are the core of living a well life
Anytime we judge someone new we are judging them on... high warmth and high competence
Move away from anti-ageing to age embracing
We are sinking in data but starving in wisdom
Fear is not a sustainable motivator to change. What is sustainable is fun, freedom, pleasure and love
Hot spring tourism has been emerging and developing rapidly over the past 20 years
There is great potential for virtual reality to be brought into the wellness space
The 2018 GWS will be held at Technogym HQ in Italy so a little sojourn to Europe may be on the cards.
