A new benchmark for healthy venues
Greenwashing, you know. You know how to avoid half-hearted or even false environmental claims when choosing a venue – look for green certifications. Ideally backed by third-party verification, these “seals of approval” are already widely used in the conferencing sector in hotels and conference centres.
But have you ever heard of “cleaning the well”? As a term, it was originally used to describe workplaces that claim to care about the physical, mental, and emotional health of their employees—perhaps they promote perks like meditation breaks or free healthy snacks—but in reality have a toxic work culture.
Now, with wellness tourism in the U.S. expected to reach $300.6 billion by 2024 and expected to continue its upward trend, especially among Generation Z and Millennials, it's no surprise that the hotel industry is eager to capitalize on this demand.
But does having a spa or a good gym necessarily make it a true wellness destination? If wellness products are on your list, what can avoid “well cleaning” and define a true wellness hotel experience?
Enter the hotel’s core wellness standards
The new global benchmark standard developed by WITT (Wellness in Travel & Tourism) and the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) is described as “a first-of-its-kind global initiative designed to help hotels integrate authentic, holistic and high-quality wellness into every guest touchpoint.”
“Does having a spa or a good gym make it a true wellness destination?”
Its hotel roadmap is based on five milestones you can look for yourself when choosing the right venue:
- healthy eating: In addition to nutritious and dietary options from their own kitchens, these hotels offer the same local dining options. They provide clean, filtered drinking water.
- holistic treatment: Their holistic environment promotes a personalized wellness experience and promotes restful sleep.
- nature: They incorporate biophilic design into indoor spaces and provide easy access to outdoor green spaces and natural landscapes for inspiration and relaxation.
- move: They offer guests the opportunity to live a balanced and active lifestyle during their stay, including a range of fitness options to support guest wellness.
- local impact: They protect and support local communities and the environment by celebrating local culture, sustainable practices and responsible sourcing.
In the words of Robin Ruiz, founder and CEO of WITT and president and CEO of the Wellness Travel Association: “This is about creating a consistent, transparent definition of wellness in the hospitality industry that will enhance trust, inspire innovation and set a new benchmark for the industry.”
Health Hotel Certification
Adopting these standards could also pave the way for actual healthy hotel certifications offered by WITT, whose Healthy Hotel Guide lists 153 hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and elsewhere. 1 Hotel Group is one of the leaders in the hotel industry that has passed an anonymous on-site audit based on more than 100 criteria. Certification must be renewed every three years.
Read more: Your Complete Guide to Sustainability
WITT says its mission is to “bridge the gap between wanderlust and wellness. We know travelers seek more than just destinations; they crave rich experiences that rejuvenate them mentally, emotionally and physically.”
WITT's work aligns with 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and WITT is a female-founded and owned company.
