4 Growing Wellness Trends Travelers Will Embrace In 2026

Wellness getaways have been one of the fastest-growing travel trends over the past few years, and 2026 isn't likely to be any different. It seems more and more travelers are seeking meaningful experiences that contribute to personal growth, physical health, and emotional well-being. In early 2025, Forbes reported that the worth of the wellness tourism industry was approaching $1 trillion. The market has grown by more than 100% in just a few years and is predicted to continue on the same trajectory. New yoga retreats and spas are opening every day across the globe, so if you've been curious about a wellness getaway, there's never been a better time.

The best vacations allow us to break away from the monotony of everyday routines, immerse ourselves in new cultures, and hopefully find time for rest and relaxation. Wellness travel certainly delivers all of that and more. In 2026, travelers will be able to try out some exciting new wellness trends, so you should definitely consider a wellness retreat for your next trip. Whether you're looking to connect with nature, meet like minded people, practice ancient healing techniques, or discover cutting edge wellness technology, 2026 is sure to be a year full of travel, health, and brand-new rejuvenating experiences. We developed this piece by analyzing travel statistics and wellness trends — read our full methodology at the end of the article. 

When you picture a wellness vacation, you might imagine activities like yoga on the beach, meditation sessions in the mountains, or a week or two spent in a remote location without cell phone reception. Those are all wonderful ways to work on your health and wellbeing, but in 2026, you might not have to travel far from urban areas to immerse yourself in wellness culture. New tech-savvy spas are starting to open in major cities across the globe.

Corey Corvas Brinkerhoff was the cofounder of Meow Wolf — those marvelous interactive art installations that have taken cities like Denver, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas by storm — but now he's working on opening new art spas that will use technology to immerse visitors in a world of relaxation. "I wondered if we could make immersive experiences that not only wow and entertain us, but that have potential to be truly therapeutic. Submersive is the next chapter — an exploration of what's possible when art, science, and human connection come together to transform lives," Brinkerhoff wrote on Submersive's website.  

The first location will open in Austin, Texas, and Submersive plans to expand and make its services widely accessible, as well as merge traditional wellness offerings with technology and creativity. Submersive isn't the only company diversifying wellness offerings at urban spas. Another transformative facility, Othership, has spa locations in New York City and Toronto, where visitors can attend wellness activities and gatherings with live music and dancing.

Our modern society doesn't encourage human connection, so some wellness destinations are attempting to create the community that travelers feel they're lacking. In 2025, the average daily screen time in the United States reached 6 hours and 40 minutes. The rest of the world isn't too far behind — the global average is 6 hours and 38 minutes. That means many of us spend nearly half of our waking hours on screens. For millennials and younger generations, it's almost challenging to remember a time when we weren't so reliant on technology. Some of us are left longing for connection and community.

A 2025 poll by the American Psychological Association showed that more than half of the people in the United States feel lonely regularly. Connection is an important part of wellness, which may be why more travelers are seeking group experiences and rituals during their wellness getaways. Wellness retreats and wellness-focused hotels are leaning in to making people feel more connected by creating spacious communal lounge spaces and hosting group activities — kind of like luxurious hostels without the bunk beds.

Similarly, people who feel disenchanted with mainstream religious institutions are seeking more non-traditional spiritual experiences and practices. Rituals are a wonderful way to connect with your spiritual side, and plenty of wellness retreats offer the opportunity to participate. Travelers might opt to attend a full-moon circle, participate in a traditional smoke-cleansing ritual, or honor the earth through the creation of an altar using natural materials. Modern wellness rituals often blend elements from traditional Indigenous practices and ancient pagan spiritualities with modern new-age belief systems. It's important that you remain respectful of other cultures when participating. Avoid offerings that involve cultural appropriation or exploit Indigenous people. 

Adventure trips for families are perfect for wellness enthusiasts who have children, and tourism companies have taken notice. Family camps are becoming increasingly popular in the United States because they allow families with kids of all ages to spend time together while engaging in healthy activities like sports, meditation, and nature therapy. Plenty of grown-ups are unashamed to admit that they love summer camp, especially during the summer months when the kids are out of school. Attending one can be a great way to bond as a family. Attendees can expect wholesome activities like crafts, kayaking trips, yoga classes, hikes, and nature talks.

Some resorts now offer activities suited to different age brackets. Kids can take surf lessons while parents enjoy a much-needed couples massage. Some family members may want to try meditating, while others can opt to attend a sound bath. There's no one-size-fits-all recipe for wellness, so destinations that offer options for everyone are ideal for families. Many resorts offer specialized wellness programming to teens and kids. Some wellness-focused destinations, like Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, even offer yoga classes for babies.

Coastal getaways and bodies of water have been popular destinations for travelers who hope to relax and rejuvenate for hundreds of years. Doctors have advised people with lingering illnesses to visit the seaside for fresh air or to "take the waters" at natural hot springs for generations. The wellness benefits of blue spaces and natural hot springs are well known, and there is plenty of evidence that shows spending time in nature has positive effects on our health and well-being.

More recently, research suggests that visiting desert destinations may also have wellness benefits. Deserts may seem barren at first glance, but they're actually teeming with life. The wide-open spaces may help us feel a sense of inner peace as we contemplate our small place in the universe. Visiting destinations with excellent views of the night sky is another wellness trend that will likely grow in 2026. Light pollution and air pollution have made it impossible to see the night sky in many cities, and it is estimated that around 80% of the world's population has never seen the Milky Way. 

Since time immemorial, human beings have been gazing up at the cosmos, philosophizing and creating origin stories. There's something special, ancient, and necessary about experiencing the night sky without light pollution from electricity. It inspires a feeling of immense awe, which studies show can increase oxytocin (the love hormone) and decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression. The vast expanse of the universe allows us to focus on something bigger than ourselves. It's no wonder more people are visiting dark-sky parks and looking for places to camp under the stars.

In order to formulate our list of growing wellness trends for 2026, we researched travel statistics and trends. We also pulled information from multiple "best of" articles published in 2025 and 2026. Through our research, we discovered that wellness travelers are seeking community, ritual experiences, family-friendly adventures, and immersion in nature. 

We also found that cutting-edge technology will play an increasingly important role in wellness tourism. If you're looking to plan the perfect vacation in 2026 that will positively impact your body, mind, and spirit, check out our favorite budget-friendly wellness retreats that won't break the bank.