World Travel Market 2014 is launching its first comprehensive programme to support the fast-growing wellness tourism sector, which is growing at a 9% annually, compared to the travel and tourism industry’s 6%.
The WTM Wellness Tourism programme, organised by Spafinder Wellness 365 – the world’s largest media, marketing and gift company for the wellness industry – and in association with the Global Wellness Tourism Congress, will take place across three days of World Travel Market 2014 – Tuesday 4th to Thursday 6th November – with some of the leading executives and experts from the sector sharing their experience and insights.
The first session on Tuesday 4th November will explore what Wellness Tourism is and why it is growing faster than the wider travel and tourism industry. The session will include findings form the latest research in the sector.
The second session on Wednesday 5th November looks to define both Medical Tourism and Wellness Tourism, which are often confused. It will look at the opportunities in both sectors and how they can work together.
The third session on Thursday 6th November will look at how national and regional governments as well as private sector businesses have successfully integrated wellness tourism into their marketing campaigns.
John Bevan, Spafinder Wellness 365 Managing Director, said: “I am excited by this opportunity to increase the exposure of the Wellness Tourism industry to the wider global travel industry at WTM.
“The sector offers a wide range of opportunities for the travel and tourism industry to benefit from and World Travel Market – with more than 50,000 senior industry executives in attendance agreeing more than £2 billion in business deals – is the perfect platform to help grow the sector further.”
World Travel Market Head of Marketing and Communications Micaela Juarez said: “World Travel Market 2013 events programme saw a record attendance of more than 16,000.
“The introduction of a Wellness Tourism programme came from the findings of our post-event research, which showed participants would like more information on this fast-growing sector.
“I am delighted to be able to announce Spafinder as our partner for this programme, which will bring together some of the sector’s most senior executives and latest research and trends.
“The programme will bring a new audience to World Travel Market, while also offering existing participants vital information to help grow their businesses.”
Speakers for the programme will be announced throughout the year.
