How Age Shapes Wellness Travel Preferences by Generation

Author: Spafinder Wellness 365
Published: 2016/03/16 - Updated: 2026/02/16
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Travel - Related Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This report presents survey findings from Spafinder Wellness 365's eighth-annual State of Wellness Travel Report, which polled travel agents across North America and Europe about generational differences in wellness travel preferences. The data is drawn from industry professionals who work directly with travelers, giving the findings a grounded, real-world authority on shifting consumer behavior. Results show that younger travelers - Millennials and Gen X - consistently rate wellness offerings like outdoor adventure, eco-friendly properties, fitness programs, and voluntourism as more important than Baby Boomers do. For anyone planning accessible or health-focused travel, including older adults, people with disabilities, and seniors seeking relaxation-oriented spa destinations, the generational breakdowns offer practical insight into what wellness resorts and hotels are increasingly prioritizing and how the industry is evolving to serve different age groups - Disabled World (DW).

Definition: Wellness Travel: Wellness travel refers to trips taken with the primary intention of maintaining or improving one's personal health and well-being, whether through spa treatments, fitness activities, healthy eating, outdoor adventure, or spiritual practices. Unlike medical tourism, which centers on specific procedures or treatments, wellness travel is preventive and lifestyle-oriented - focused on stress reduction, physical activity, mindfulness, and connection with nature. The sector has grown rapidly over the past two decades, driven by rising consumer interest in holistic health and a growing expectation that hotels, resorts, and retreat centers integrate wellness offerings into the core guest experience rather than treating them as optional add-ons. Generational attitudes play a significant role in shaping the market, with younger travelers tending to favor immersive, adventure-based, and environmentally conscious wellness experiences while older travelers often gravitate toward traditional luxury spa settings built around relaxation and pampering.

Introduction

Impact of Age on Wellness Travel Preferences

Spafinder Wellness 365's "State of Wellness Travel Report" reveals Millennials & Gen X care even more about wellness offerings at resorts/hotels and spas than Baby Boomers

Spafinder Wellness 365 released its eighth-annual State of Wellness Travel Report, based on a survey of travel agents in North America and Europe and designed to offer ongoing insight into wellness travel trends. The new report examined the shifting demographics of the wellness traveler, with a special focus on the impact that age has on traveler's preferences.

Main Content

Survey respondents indicate that every wellness element at properties, from healthy food to fitness classes to spiritual healing, ranked as more important for younger travelers (49 and under, Millennials and Gen X), than for Baby Boomers (50 and older), the generation that jumpstarted the wellness revolution. The most significant differences are in outdoor adventure (i.e., hiking, surfing, etc.), environmentally friendly properties, voluntourism programs, and fitness/yoga classes and facilities, which all matter significantly more to younger travelers. The most desirable property types for Baby Boomers are luxury spa resorts, while for Millennials and Gen X, eco/adventure resorts and authentic yoga retreats rank much higher.

"As Millennials and Gen X become the core wellness tourism demographic, trends are emerging. Not only do younger travelers demand more wellness offerings in general, they seek more intensive, out-in-nature adventure and fitness. And a property's 'values,' such as respect for the environment and whether it gives back to the local community, aren't niche considerations - they're more important than traditional sports like golf or tennis," said Spafinder Wellness, Inc.(R) COO John Bevan.

"The survey shines light on what's ascending for the next generation in wellness travel, but also shows that Boomers still rank traditional spa resorts first. The landscape is expanding, more complex, and less one-size-fits-all than ever."

Additional Findings

Many Wellness Elements Matter to All Travelers

Agents rated the importance of 16 different wellness components/programs to their clients. Every component (whether weight loss or healthy sleep programs) rates as "important" for every age demographic, scoring at least 5.9 out of 10.

All Wellness Components Matter More to Younger Travelers

As the table below illustrates, wellness travel elements are important for all travelers, but they're even more important to younger travelers (49 and under) than for the 50-plus-group. Even offerings one might associate with older travelers (i.e., hot springs) rank as more important to younger travelers. The differences are more significant in some instances, such as environmentally friendly properties and outdoor adventure programs, but the trend is consistent.

Wellness property elements, ranked 1-10; 1 = "not important at all" and 10 = "extremely important"

50 and older vs. 49 and under:

Beach access: 8.2 vs. 8.8
Pools & swimming: 8.3 vs. 8.6
Outdoor adventure programs: 7.3 vs. 8.5
Access to nature/scenic outdoors: 7.9 vs. 8.4
Fitness/yoga facilities & classes: 7.7 vs. 8.4
Healthy cuisine/specialty diets: 8 vs. 8.3
Environmentally friendly property: 6.9 vs. 7.7
'Do good' for community/voluntourism: 6.6 vs. 7.4
Traditional sports like golf or tennis: 7.2 vs. 7.3
Hot or mineral springs: 6.6 vs. 6.9
Weight loss programs: 6.6 vs. 6.8
Spiritual healing: 6.4 vs. 6.6
Alternative medical services: 6.3 vs. 6.6
Detox programs: 6.2 vs. 6.6
Healthy sleep programs: 6 vs. 6.2
Traditional medical services: 5.9 vs. 6

The Biggest Age Importance Gaps

Several wellness components at properties stand out as significantly more important for Millennials and Gen X. The top five "importance gaps" are;

1.) outdoor adventure programs (i.e., hiking, surfing, etc.);

2.) environmentally friendly properties;

3.) properties that actively "do good" for local community or have voluntourism programs;

4.) fitness/yoga classes and facilities;

5.) beach access.

Baby Boomers Want Luxury Spa Resorts; Millennials & Gen X Rate Eco-Resorts Much Higher

Agents shared what types of wellness travel properties are most desired/booked by their Baby Boomer and older, and younger Millennial and Gen X, clients.

For the 50-plus crowd, luxury spa resorts (with a focus on relaxation and stress-reduction) rank highest by considerable margins. And the next three types of wellness travel destinations all had parity in scores.

Baby Boomer Top Properties

#1 Luxury spa resort
#2 Beach focused (sand-and-sea destinations)
#3 Eco resort in wild nature (focus on hiking, adventure, biodiversity/wildlife, etc.)
#4 Healthy cruise (w/programming like spas, fitness classes, etc.)

Millennial & Gen X Top Properties

For travelers 49 and under, the top three, most desired/booked wellness travel properties (by significant margins, and with great parity) are:

#1 Beach focused (sand-and-sea destinations)
#2 Eco resort in wild nature (focus on hiking, adventure, biodiversity/wildlife, etc.)
#3 Authentic yoga retreats

Gen X: the #1 wellness travel booker

Agents also note which age groups are now most likely to book wellness travel. And as Baby Boomers age, each year they're increasingly being replaced by Gen X and younger. The top two age groups below lead by significant margins. And the young 26-35 year olds (Millennials) increase their lead on the over-65 this year.

Who books wellness travel?

1) 46-55 (older Gen X and very youngest Boomers)
2) 36-45 (Gen X)
3) 56-65 (heart of the Boomers)
4) 26-35 (Millennials and youngest Gen X)
5) Over 65 (includes oldest Boomers)

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: What stands out most in this data is not simply that younger travelers want more from their wellness trips - it is how broadly the shift extends across nearly every category measured. From spiritual healing to healthy sleep programs to eco-conscious resort design, Millennials and Gen X consistently score these elements higher than their Boomer counterparts, even in areas traditionally associated with older demographics. For the travel and hospitality industry, the message is clear: wellness is no longer a niche amenity but a baseline expectation, and properties that fail to adapt risk losing relevance with the fastest-growing segment of wellness travelers. At the same time, Boomers remain a loyal and lucrative audience for luxury spa resorts, which means the market is not shifting so much as it is splitting - demanding more varied, more personalized, and more values-driven offerings than any single generation has required before - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Spafinder Wellness 365 and published on 2016/03/16, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.