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New data from Australia’s largest experience network, Big Red Group, has revealed that the demand for wellness tourism has surged year-on-year, with some experiences up by over 200%.

The findings come after a recent study from Mental Health Index TELUS showed that over three in five employees in Australia are reportedly feeling burnt out - and have indicated particularly strong uptake in Victoria and Northern Territory.

According to David Anderson, co-founder and Chief Executive at Big Red Group, the rising demand could indicate that Australians are trying to prioritise their mental health and wellbeing at the moment.

Spa experiences are up by a fifth (19%) on last year, while demand for hot pools, springs and wellness centres has grown significantly too. This signals a move away from traditional massage and facial packages that have previously proven popular across the nation.

Key takeaways from the data include:

• Prioritising health and wellbeing: Year-on-year, the ‘Wellness’ category for experiences has seen a 228.4% increase in bookings, with Victoria and Northern Territory seeing particular growth
• Australians warm up to hot springs: Spas are in high-demand, with the Peninsula Hot Springs in Fingal (+132%), Wellness Studio in Belmont (+400%) and the Polynesian Spa in Brisbane (+855%) all seeing significantly higher bookings this year

The global wellness tourism market has recently been valued at almost $950 billion according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) - and now accounts for a significant proportion of the wider industry.

More information on Big Red Group and its consumer brands - including RedBalloon, Adrenaline and Experience Oz - can be found here. 

Image top: Mornington Peninsula Spa Credit: Visit Melbourne

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