The Business Of Wellness IN Noosa!

Image source: IN Noosa Magazine

Instead of hitting the clubs and sinking cocktails, more and more visitors are seeking wellness while on holiday. Katrina Thorpe discovers the rise of the “wellcation” and why we all need to get busy booking in self-care.

While it’s easy for others to say “change your life, don’t work so hard” we all know that’s not as easy as it sounds when there are bills to be paid and family to care for. The majority of people can’t and don’t particularly want to give up their lifestyle. There is nothing wrong with being a busy person, if you enjoy what you do.

What is important is taking time out for yourself to maintain your wellness so you can keep working and caring for those you love, but with a more balanced approach. Introducing the “wellcation”.

Wellness is a global growth industry and we are seeing a big increase in Noosa’s wellness tourism market. We find people don’t want to change the life they love but are now visiting wellness destinations and seeking more of a “wellcation” where travellers include wellness as the main reason for travelling to a particular destination or adding wellness inclusions into their holiday.

Being in the business of wellness as the owner of ikatan Spa, we see a lot of stressed people but also those who are already taking an interest in their wellbeing, particularly in Noosa where we have so many ways to enjoy a healthy holiday or lifestyle.

Not only has there been an increase in day spa visits but guests are spending more time choosing to experience unique wellness-orientated treatments. People are feeling the benefits of maintaining their wellness and self-care is being taken more seriously both at home and during a holiday.

Wellness is becoming a more widespread integrated way of living and the demand for businesses to cater to the growth in the wellness market, particularly tourists, is increasing. We are seeing more medical professionals referring patients to take time out, enjoy a holiday, have regular massages and relaxing treatments to aid recovery, de-stress and help improve their wellbeing, especially during serious illness and pregnancy.

The wellness market consists of a wide range of people from those who are new to consciously caring for themselves to those who are living life around all things wellness, but all wellness seekers are looking for business and destinations that can add value to their life.

The wellness trend is here to stay and grow in a way that is completely different now compared to when we opened ikatan Spa eighteen years ago. Today we have 20 staff who understand our business is all about wellness with unique treatments for calming, nurturing and de-stressing and how to deliver treatments using organic, vegan, local products and anti-ageing skincare, as well as personalised, bespoke wellness packages and treatments.

More than ever before people do not want to feel pressured, locked in, organised or busy on a holiday. It’s what they are trying to escape from. Travellers are more interested in taking life in the slow lane, seeking new experiences, activities, seeing the natural areas of a destination and enjoying relaxation as a priority but on their terms.

It’s great to hear so many people are putting away their devices and taking each day as it comes. Wellness travellers love nature, giving back to a community and are genuinely interested in the wellness business they choose to visit. Each type of wellness business is specialised and unique and the variety is as broad as the list is long. Some may escape to a Wellness Retreat. Others want to explore nature.

What wellness means to one person is different to another and it’s as simple as enjoying fishing or walking in a serene place like Lake Cooroibah or participating in a sound bathing or yoga class on Shambala Farm in Doonan. Whatever calms your mind, makes you feel good, soothes your soul or reenergises you, do it, because that’s what wellness is all about.

About the Author /

katrina@innoosamagazine.com.au

With qualifications and years of experience in health, wellness, beauty, management and business, culminating in the creation of Ikatan Day Spa, Katrina has a passion for everything relating to the wellness world and loves to share her knowledge, experience and research with others. Katrina is an active member of our community with involvement in tourism and charity work.

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