The Global Wellness Institute, along with Access Corporate Group, conducted a study on the growth of the global wellness industry during COVID. The report presents the highs and lows within the international health and wellness space during the pandemic and offers predictions for 2022.

Overall, the industry was greatly affected by the pandemic. Unlike other industries and services, wellness experiences primarily cannot be replicated with virtual experiences. Wellness tourism spending in the United States saw a decrease from $263.5 billion in 2019 to $162.1 billion in 2020. However, the United States ranked highest for wellness tourism expenditures among the top 20 destination markets, accounting for 37 percent of all expenditures in 2020. In 2020, worldwide wellness tourism declined 39.5 percent, while worldwide overall tourism declined 43 percent.

Despite the overall hit to wellness tourism, 2022 and beyond show a more optimistic outlook. The study projects a 21 percent annual growth rate for wellness tourism through 2025. Thermal and mineral spas show a worldwide increase of 18 percent expected through 2025. New mineral spa projects are also currently in the pipeline.

Spas were hit hard during the pandemic, with revenues down 39 percent and the closure of more than 4,000 day spas. The industry is expected to bounce back quickly, with a projected market growth of 17 percent and double revenues.

Read more about the wellness tourism study and predictions for 2022.