Is wellness travel the new luxury getaway?: Travel Weekly Asia

Luxury travel in Asia Pacific is evolving – wellness isn’t just a buzzword, it’s shaping how high-net-worth travellers choose, plan, and experience their holidays.

According to ILTM’s latest Buzz vs Reality report unveiled at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025 by portfolio director Alison Gilmore, 84% of affluent travellers in the region are actively improving their health for the future – and many want to do it while on holiday.

“Travellers are looking for meaning, balance, and experiences that nourish both body and mind,” Gilmore said during the keynote.

”The definition of wellness travel is evolving into journeys that integrate fitness, mental clarity, and emotional wellbeing,” said ILTM’s portfolio director Alison Gilmore.

Spa days, but make it science

Forget one-size-fits-all massages. The modern wellness traveller wants personalisation. Four in five (80%) of respondents said wellness services tailored to personal health goals (like stress reduction or fitness) are very important or essential.

Meanwhile, 65% want one-on-one consultations with wellness experts, and 53% are interested in using cutting-edge tech such as smart rings to track progress.

Long walks, longer retreats

Wellness isn’t about rushed treatments squeezed between meetings. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of respondents said the ideal wellness break spans 4 to 8 nights.

Weekend getaways? Less appealing. Respondents, particularly from China and Hong Kong, are gravitating toward slower, immersive experiences in nature, fitness, and mental wellbeing.

Hotel room, or home gym?

Wellness is changing what luxury hotels look like. More than half (55%) are willing to pay more for wellness-friendly rooms equipped with yoga mats or exercise bikes. And with 67% saying that hotel wellness offerings influence their booking decisions, in-room facilities may become the new must-have.

Not just for the solo soul-searcher

Wellness travel is no longer a solo sport. Family-friendly wellness is trending, with over half (54%) of respondents expressing interest in taking children along. Another third are open to bringing extended family. The most common travel companion? A partner – 66% prefer to holiday as a couple.

Agents of zen

Travel advisors aren’t being left out of the wellness wave. Two-thirds (66%) of respondents consider them influential in planning wellness trips. In fact, 44% say booking through agents helps them feel more secure about their travel choices – despite the rise of wellness apps and digital booking tools.

Spontaneity still counts

Wellness isn’t always planned. Some 65% of travellers have spontaneously booked wellness activities during holidays. Hotels and agents alike may benefit from keeping a menu of flexible options on standby – from massage slots to guided meditations.

From indulgence to intention

While holidays have traditionally been seen as a time to indulge, that mindset is shifting. Nearly 60% of respondents are interested in following a bespoke diet plan during their travels, and only 37% now say holidays are purely for indulgence.