The 2025 Wellness Tourism Summit was held at Elements of Byron from 4-5 September 2025, exploring the growing global demand for wellness experiences.
The global wellness tourism market has been valued at almost $950 billion by the Global Wellness Institute, while Statista predicts wellness tourism will be worth around $US1.35 trillion in 2028, an increase of more than 100 per cent on the market size in 2022.
It’s not just leisure travellers embracing wellness, the global corporate wellness market is also growing rapidly and is predicted to more than double by the year 2032.
Proudly supported by Destination NSW, 2025 Wellness Tourism Summit brought together more than 120 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand to explore opportunities and trends.
Leaders in the wellness tourism space shared their knowledge with operators and suppliers looking to grow their businesses or step into the industry.
Summit founder Katherine Droga said: “Everyone came with an open mind, an interest in learning new insights and in making new business collaborations and friendships,” she said.
“This all created a beautiful buzz of collaboration and kindness. They loved coming to Byron Bay and connecting with other delegates to learn from each other. They love understanding more about sustainable wellness travel and the growth in wellness experiences and, of course, creating local business collaboration opportunities.”
Businesses have recognised the link between employee wellness and business performance, leading to the integration of wellness elements into corporate events.
Earlier this year, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the formation of the Wellbeing Collective Advisory Board, a team of industry-leading experts dedicated to enhancing Hyatt’s holistic wellbeing offerings, with an initial focus on innovating around how people gather for meetings and events.
Hyatt Vice President Global Wellbeing TJ Abrams said: “Whether traveling for business or leisure, now more than ever, our guests are seeking meaningful experiences that foster connection, build community and enhance their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
“The new Advisory Board unites leading voices across various industries to help us innovate around the way people gather and elevate the travel journey through intentional wellbeing offerings, with a focus on ensuring our guests and customers leave feeling rejuvenated and fulfilled.”
According to Travel Weekly hotels and resorts in the United States are reporting that companies are allocating an additional 10% to 30% of their event budgets toward wellness elements.
Miraval Resorts director of business development Susie Klein said: “We feel like it’s really no longer a ‘nice to have,’ but it’s a strategic priority, because of the mental, emotional and well-being piece that they know will pay them dividends in terms of retention.”
View Destination NSW’s guide to wellness stays throughout NSW here.
