Monetizing Wellness Trends: 4 Strategies Hotels Can’t Afford to Ignore

Holistic wellness is trending, and you don’t need to run a spa to cash in.

There’s a growing industry that consumers are flocking to, and hotels can directly capitalize off of it.

With a $1.5 trillion market value across the globe, the wellness sector shows no signs of slowing down and is projected to grow by 5 to 10 percent annually. Recent research by McKinsey, a management consulting group, highlights a few key wellness categories that travelers are interested in:

• Fitness
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Mindfulness

Nearly 80 percent of the 7,500 respondents in McKinsey’s survey agreed that wellness is important – 42 percent said it’s a “top priority.” Some consumers say they’re even willing to have less private data protection to benefit from more holistic wellness products and services that fit their personal needs. The heightened awareness around well-being has led consumers to invest more in services that help promote a happy and healthy lifestyle.

1. Fitness

Consumers struggled with their health during the pandemic as it was hard for them to maintain pre-pandemic fitness levels while gyms and sports teams were closed down. But people are taking the reins of their health. Fitness tools and products have continued to rise and travelers don’t want to lose their progress while on vacation.

Hotels can create a workout space to cater to these consumers, even if it’s small with only a few pieces of equipment. If you aren’t able to create a large and diverse gym, a usable space with a treadmill and some free weights that can be reserved by guests may be all you need.

2. Nutrition

More than a third of consumers have said they “probably” or “definitely” plan to spend more on healthier food options. Juice cleanses were just one thing consumers said they’re willing to shell out money for.

Provide juices, shakes, smoothies, as well as fruits and vegetables with your breakfast options or just as an available perk. You can also offer locally grown, organic foods. Not only can this be cheaper for you since you’ll be cutting out the middle man, but you’ll also attract a niche set of clientele.

3. Sleep

The stark rise in anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic correlates to a rise in melatonin use, a sleep aid, among adults. Still, nearly 20 percent of adults report not getting adequate sleep at night. There has also been a rise in the use of sleep aid apps that provide white noise as well as sleep trackers.

Travelers want to improve their rest, they certainly don’t want it hampered by poor mattresses, bedding, and other bedroom comforts (room temperature, brightness levels, etc.). To create a space that allows your guests to sleep in peace, invest in black-out curtains and in-room temperature controls. Your hotel will certainly stand out if you can also provide weighted blankets and calming noise machines.

4. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is all about keeping yourself in the present and letting go of any worries about the past or future. It’s become increasingly common amongst consumers who are spending more time meditating or using apps to help keep themselves focused.

Creating a meditation app is no easy task, but setting up lessons once or twice a week in one of your empty event rooms can be! Meditation sessions led by experienced instructors can help guests relax, reduce stress, and find inner peace during their stay.