The global wellness economy is projected to grow 7.6% annually. 

People increasingly seek balance and restoration through mindfulness, movement, and intentional experiences. Wellness isn’t just a trend. It's a foundation for a more fulfilling life.

The wellness economy has doubled in size since 2013, recently reaching $6.8 trillion and projected to hit $9.8 trillion by 2029, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). McKinsey & Company surveys suggest that consumers are increasingly prioritizing wellness.

Wellness tourism is a $1.3 trillion industry.​​

According to the GWI, wellness tourism is the fastest-growing market, outperforming tourism at large at a 25% higher rate for over a decade. Wellness trips are projected to make up 8.3% of all trips by 2027—up from 5.8% in 2012, according to the GWI.

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Booking research suggests that more than half of travelers would pay for a trip that's motivated by improving their well-being.  In fact, wellness tourists spend more than most, according to the GWI.

The experiential travel market is worth more than $1 trillion.

Travel today is about meaningful experiences, not sightseeing. Modern explorers want to live like locals, connect deeply with cultures, and design trips that transform how they see the world—and themselves.

 

More than half of travelers crave authenticity (58%) and new experiences (61%), according to McKinsey research. This is especially true as people travel more often and for longer with the rise of digital nomadism and remote work culture.

Flexibility and financial freedom are increasingly important.

Flexibility and financial autonomy empower choice and boost well-being. An IWG report reveals that people with workplace flexibility exercise more, sleep longer, and eat cleaner—even amongst digital nomads and remote workers exploring coliving and coworking alternatives to traditional lifestyles. Seventy-three percent of remote workers would even surrender a pay bump to preserve flexibility, according to Workmonitor Pulse research.

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Nonetheless, Bankrate reports that roughly 77% of people feel financially insecure and aspire to achieve time and financial freedom—be it to travel more, live healthier, or lead overall more fulfilling lives. Access to financial education is increasing with the adoption of fintech, affording users opportunities to prioritize what matters most to them.