Foreward

Wellness tourism is a growing segment of the travel industry that focuses on experiences designed to improve physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being. From yoga retreats and spa getaways to outdoor adventures and healthy culinary experiences, this form of tourism reflects a broader cultural shift toward self-care and holistic health.  The current textbook introduces wellness tourism in a U.S. context, offering a practical, business oriented overview for undergraduate students. It provides insights into the concept of wellness, defines and examines both the wellness industry and the wellness tourism sub-sector, highlights key trends, explores the motivations of wellness travelers, and explains how wellness destinations and services are designed and managed to support wellness goals. The book also considers marketing and distribution channels, as well as job opportunities within the wellness tourism space.

Acknowledgments

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Joel D. Reece, Associate Professor of Health & Human Science at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, whose support has been truly appreciated. His insightful feedback and expert review greatly contributed to the refinement of this work and helped enhance the clarity and depth of the content.

Finally, to support data organization and improve clarity, AI tools such as ChatGPT and NotebookLM were used in the development and refinement of this text.