The UAE, Israel and Morocco will be the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) growth leaders, with each of nation adding nearly 1 million wellness trips from 2012-2017

The Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region is the second fastest growing wellness travel market in the world, albeit growing from a smaller base than more established markets like Europe or North America. And new Global Wellness Institute research reveals which ten MENA nations will grow fastest through 2017. The three, big powerhouses begin with “U,” “I” and “M” – and each of these countries will double their wellness trips from 2012-2107.

What’s on My Mind: Let There Be Light: Science + Wellness

Literally and metaphorically, a light went on for me last week. I had the privilege of attending an event hosted by Lighting Science, a company devoted to marshaling light to work with our bodies, not against them. Fred Masik, the company founder, Dr. Michael Bruce, a sleep expert, and Dr. Smith Johnston, a flight surgeon working with NASA, presented on the panel. 

 

Deepak Chopra, MD, to Keynote 2015 Global Wellness Summit

He’s been hailed as “the pioneer of alternative medicine” by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and named “one of the top 100 heroes and icons of the century” by TIME magazine—and Deepak Chopra will be a keynote speaker at the 2015 Global Wellness Summit in Mexico City. His accomplishments are too extraordinary to list: He’s authored over 80 books, founded the Chopra Foundation and received countless honors for his work and humanitarian efforts.

Which Governments are Beginning to Legislate against Unhealthy Behavior?

In a thought-piece on why, today, it’s governments, not markets, that really call the shots, Malleret speculates on how it’s pretty inevitable that the unbearable cost of healthcare means that many governments will soon be unable to foot the bill. So, while it’s not “politically correct,” more governments will start to legislate against (and penalize for) unhealthy behaviors. Just look at how a new bill introduced in Puerto Rico would penalize parents for not tackling childhood obesity.

Bruce Jenner. Then and Now.

In 1993 I served on “Pete Wilson’s California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports”. Bruce Jenner was one of the other 14 board members and we worked together for quite a few years. I remember Bruce as a down to earth, likeable guy with a good sense of humor and a very collaborative attitude.