According to data from the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is poised to become a $1.4 trillion industry by 2027. That’s a lot of cash, and the data shows that now, more than ever, vacationers are looking to lean into the experiences that make them feel good and nurture their mental, physical and emotional well-being while away from home. To help you stay on top of the latest happenings in the niche, we’ve compiled four of the hottest wellness travel trends in 2025.
Turning Down the Volume
A trend that encourages people to explore some of the Earth’s most peaceful places, quiet travel, also called “calmcations” or “silent travel,” is an up-and-coming way to get away as people trade in the hustle and bustle of daily life in exchange for some much-needed tranquility. In addition to being recognized by brands like Havila Voyages who created an entire marketing campaign around the craze and big names like Pinterest which cited “quiet life” as a trending search term on the platform in its 2024 Travel Report, calmcations are a natural remedy to a world with too much noise, allowing those who dare to turn the volume down to look inward and reap the potential health benefits of a more serene lifestyle.
Bye-Bye Booze
According to a survey conducted by NCSolutions earlier this year, nearly half of Americans (49%) plan to drink less in 2025. And, as younger generations continue to consume less alcohol than their predecessors and challenges like “Dry January” and “Sober October” remain in the limelight, it comes as no surprise that sober travel endures as a major health and wellness trend on the leisure travel front. As vacationers’ needs shift, brands and tour operators are stepping up to meet the demand with hoteliers like Loews Hotels & Co launching dedicated low/no ABV beverage programming and companies like Flash Pack pivoting to offer booze-free itineraries for the sober curious.
Looking To the Stars
Whether they’re looking to the stars for guidance or are simply turning to nature to help them relax and reset, it seems “noctourism” is all the rage in 2025 as travelers head to Dark Sky Places and secluded areas in masses to bask in the wonder that is the great outdoors. Fueled by the onslaught of recent and upcoming astronomical events, lunar and solar eclipses are piquing vacationers’ interest while meteor showers, solstices and super moons are equally inspiring their celestial adventures. In cold weather destinations, natural phenomena such as the Aurora Borealis and Midnight Sun continue to draw in visitors while U.S. national parks are enjoying a spike in tourists eager to shy away from light pollution and noise.
Braving Healing Waters
Long-believed to have positive effects on the mind, body and spirit, water therapy is making waves among wellness-loving travelers. Inspired by the Nordic tradition of alternating between hot and cold treatments — think a spell in a scalding hot sauna followed by a daring dip in a cold plunge — this aquatic experience is believed to aid in muscle recovery, increased circulation and even improved mental clarity. Those interested in putting these healing waters to the test can do so at a variety of hotels and resorts across the globe, or they can hit the seven seas and experience them from the comfort of a world-class spa aboard cruise ships like Viking, Celebrity, Norwegian and MSC Cruises.
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