Global wellness tourism to be worth P75-T by 2028

Wellness tourism was center of discussion at the recent 2025 TravMedia Summit Asia held in Singapore, attended by more than a hundred participants, including international media.

Speakers included Flex Studio founder-director Heather Thomas; Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas wellness vice president Mark Sands; Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Regional Vice President Peter Draminsky; and Oster Group co-founder and chief medical officer Dr. Tsin Uin Foong.

The four explored a redefinition of wellness tourism or travelling for one’s well-being, a global industry estimated worth $1.3 trillion (P75 trillion) by 2028 — a 100% increase from 2022 data.

From a healthcare perspective, Dr. Foong believes the growth is attributed to a shift from sick to preventive due to the pandemic.

“People’s sense of time have changed [and are] choosing to live,” said Thomas, adding that people are more fully present and want to achieve more present daily living.

Sands said people want to continue their good behavior from home when travelling, whether it’s activities or meals, while Draminsky jumped on Dr. Foong’s statement by saying “indulgence is turning into a lifestyle post-pandemic.”

On the subject of trends in the wellness tourism landscape, Dr. Foong said tourists are now more sophisticated and discerning by looking for science-based and personalized experiences.

Draminsky brought up the Chi Longevity Clinic at the Four Seasons as an example, where someone is there to help an individual outside of regular appointments.

The speakers were asked their opinions on how business travelers differ from wellness tourists.

Thomas raised the term flow-state, the heightened state of concentration that results in productivity. She believes business travelers want an uninterrupted flow-state by sleeping better and eating the same food as the body wants consistency.

Another factor Thomas brought up between the two kinds are their attitude to money, or rather whoever pays the bill.

Sands noted that programming can be a factor when in urban destinations, adding that business travelers want to optimize performance.

Draminsky shared that sleep, nutrition and recovery are huge considerations for both kinds of tourists, and the overlap almost makes it difficult to differentiate.