Little Austria is a spa and wellness travel giant (the 5th largest market globally) even with its tiny population of 8.5 million. But Austria is so well established, and has been for so long, that people often overlook their historic – and current – innovation. This is the land of “wellness hotels” (resting, breathing fresh air, drinking pure water, exercising in Alpine nature, soaking in hot springs, etc.), where spas are as vast as theme parks – and their menus seem as long as novels.
Brexit: What it Means for UK – and Continental Europe – Tourism & Wellness Travel
Malleret outlines the “big picture” economic consequences that are on the horizon due to the Brexit, but also forecasts the likelihood that, as the British pound depreciates against most international currencies, the British tourism and wellness tourism industries will outperform in months (and years) ahead. Conversely, the opposite is likely to happen in continental Europe.
GWI Launches New Wellness Architecture Initiative
The GWI is launching a new Initiative, Wellness Architecture, designed to bring together leaders to raise awareness of, and gather the research evidence for, how architecture and our surroundings impact humans – whether psychologically, physically, energetically or emotionally. The goal: a collective knowledge base (and conferences on) how humans interrelate with the environment and how the environment impacts human wellbeing. The Initiative’s chair is Veronica Schreibeis Smith, CEO and founding principal, Vera Iconica Design.
New Study: Sleep Problems Linked to Diabetes in Men
A new study out of Europe indicates that men that don’t get enough sleep, or get too much, show an increased risk for Type 2 diabetes. The study tested men and women, measuring their sleep duration (7 hours on average) and markers for diabetes (how well pancreatic cells take up glucose and how sensitive body’s tissues are to insulin). When men got too little or too much sleep, their glucose tolerance decreased – although no such association was found in women.
Must-Reads from the Wellness World (Week of July 12, 2016)
“Closest Thing to a Wonder Drug? Try Exercise“ – The New York Times, June 20, 2016
Although we don’t think of it this way, you can make a pretty good argument that exercise is as good as drugs for many conditions.
What is the Future of Wellness, Spa and Beauty in Europe?
For centuries, Europe has been way out in front when it comes to wellness – but other regions are quickly catching up. The Global Wellness Summit recently asked top CEOs from travel, spa, and beauty companies, economists and researchers to predict where European wellness is headed. Predictions ranged from European nations “legislating wellness” by taxing unhealthy products and a surge in new wellness properties across Eastern Europe to wellness resorts refocusing on deep nature, peace and authenticity.
