In 2019, expect more increasingly mental wellness, says Michael Altewischer of Wellness-Hotels & Resorts GmbH; In fact, compared to 15 years ago, when most guests wanted to go to resorts or spas for beauty, there's a sea change in the market.

"Today, it's all about sport and spirituality," said Altewischer, presenting the wellness trends for 2019 at the ITB convention in Berlin this week. "It's now basically about living well. We in wellness must keep this in mind, go in this direction."

According to the recent 2019 Global Wellness Trends Report compiled following the Global Wellness Summit in Hong Kong last year, eight trends will have a meaningful impact on the $4.2 trillion wellness industry.

The trends include a distaste for overtourism, "well fashion," the importance of smell, China and wellness, dying "well," personalized nutrition, "well" fragrance, nature as a drug, and meditation.

The report is drawn up from the insights of more than 600 executives and delegates to the Summit, as well as economists, medical and wellness professionals, academics, and wellness leaders.

The experts at the ITB Wellness panel agree with report's assessment and focus on the non-cosmetic.

Roland Fricke of Beauty24 says that he expects the wellness market to grow, not least because of one key element: "We see the younger people are now much more stressed out than their elders," he said.

This is strictly an exclusive feature, reprints of this article in any shape or form without prior written approval from 4Hoteliers.com is not permitted. Jabeen Bhatti is reporting exclusively for 4Hoteliers.com at ITB Berlin 2019 - www.4Hoteliers.com/itb.

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