Last week, at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, GWI’s CEO Susie Ellis presented the latest research and trends for MENA wellness tourism markets at the GWI’s annual Wellness Symposium, this year focused on the opportunities in both medical tourism and wellness tourism. Key findings: In terms of recent growth percentages, no world wellness tourism market is growing faster than MENA’s: 13.4 percent annually and now worth $10.7 billion. Its spa industry is also seeing explosive 15.4 percent yearly growth, now valued at $2.8 billion. A few key trends: Unique “medical-wellness” destinations are beginning to emerge in the Gulf nations as well as a fast-rising interest in health, wellbeing and happiness across the region.
