Gratifying one of its main purposes, the newly-founded Wellness Tourism Association or WTA has recently developed a WTA Glossary of Industry Terms which will become the foundation in terms of common understanding, plus further define and create standards for the ever emerging global wellness tourism industry. At present, the Glossary comprise the following eight term: Wellness Destination, Wellness Tourism, Wellness Travel, Wellness Traveler, Wellness Resort, Wellness Retreat, Wellness Vacation and Wellness Visitor, and with time as the industry evolves, new terms will be added to it.
“The definitions have taken considerable time and thoughtful debate among the WTA Board of Directors,” says Chairman, Andrew Gibson. “We feel the terms will provide clarification and benefits not only to our members, but to anyone with an interest in the wellness tourism industry.”
One of the remarkable terms of the new WTA Glossary is Wellness Resorts, which will restore, for the purposes of the WTA, the Destination Spa category. “The Destination Spa category had its day as a ‘one-size fits all’ qualifier,” says Thomas Klein, Canyon Ranch, President and Chief Operating Officer, ”but it never truly defined integrative spas with offerings far beyond standard treatments.”Say for example, at Canyon Ranch, Klein narrates the term Wellness Resort “is much more aligned with our philosophy because wellness is not an amenity, an afterthought or trend — it’s our focus.” He says, “A true Wellness Resort is more than just a place to relax and shed a few pounds, it is a place to make transformative life changes that last well beyond the vacation.” Also, the term will cover WTA members like Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary in Thailand.
The term “Destination” has been re-purposed to Wellness Destination, to recognize a demographic region with a strategic approach to build up and market their wellness-related assets.
Tags: wellness tourism
