Lapinha SPA, Brazil.
WTM LONDON 2016 – LONDON – REPORT: Sixty-six percent of winners are new compared to 2015, reflecting growth in wellness travel. North America, Asia and Europe Show strongest growth in number of category winners; Countries of Croatia, Greece, Peru, Tasmania and Slovenia honored for first time.
WTM LONDON 2016 – LONDON – REPORT: Spafinder Wellness announced the global winners of the 2016 Wellness Travel Awards (WTA) at a press event held at World Travel Market London. Inaugurated in 2014, the Awards recognize hotels, resorts, destination spas and retreats offering the best wellness vacations and experiences on six continents and in 41 countries, along with the top 10 properties in each of 20 categories. This year, 388 finalists competed for top honors, and consumers cast over 130,000 ballots for their favorite properties, more than twice as many as were cast in 2015. All Wellness Travel Award nominees, finalists and winners can be seen at wellnesstravelawards.com.
Spafinder Wellness CEO John Bevan presented WTA Crystal Awards to the top properties on six continents and Country Awards to the top properties in 41 countries and regions. Category Awards were given to the top 10 properties that offer exceptional wellness experiences in each of 20 categories. New categories in 2016 include “Hidden Gems” and “Ahead-of-the-Curve.”
Wellness Travel Award finalists were selected by a panel of 39 travel and wellness industry editors and experts, who first nominated 605 properties for consideration before narrowing the field. Consumers around the globe then voted for their favorite locations across 20 categories. A combination of nominations and scores by the panelists and consumer ballots was used to select winners.
“The growth in wellness travel and the vast range of healthy travel options offered by these exceptional properties is remarkable,” said Spafinder CEO John Bevan. “We are honored that the Awards are supported by World Travel Market London and curated by an outstanding panel of travel editors and experts, along with travelers around the globe. Without question, they are the most objective awards in the industry and every nominee, finalist and winner deserves recognition for their accomplishments.”
Bevan noted that North America, Asia and Europe had the largest increase in category winners (51, 44 and 41 percent, respectively) and the Caribbean, Nordic Countries and Central America all had over 30 percent growth.
Wellness Travel Awards at a Glance
Crystal Awards, top properties on six continents
- Best in Africa: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, South Africa
- Best in Asia: Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, Thailand
- Best in Australia, New Zealand & Oceania: Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Australia
- Best in Europe: SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain
- Best in North America: Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
- Best in South & Central America: Lapinha SPA, Brazil
Country/Region Award winners in the leading countries for wellness travel
- United States: Canyon Ranch in Tucson
- Germany: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa / Villa Stéphanie
- France: SPA The Peninsula Paris
- Japan: Amanemu
- Austria: Bio-Hotel Stanglwirt
- Canada: Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa
- Italy: Verdura Resort
- Switzerland: Clinique La Prairie
- China: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
- UK: Ragdale Hall Health Hydro & Thermal Spa
Top Category Award Winners
- Spas and Rancho La Puerta, Mexico: nine awards
- Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, Thailand: nine awards
- Canyon Ranch in Tucson, United States: six awards
- COMO Shambhala Estate, Indonesia: six awards
- New Life Hiking Spa, United States: six awards
- SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain: six awards
- Ananda in the Himalayas, India: five awards
- Chiva-Som Health Resort, Thailand: five awards
- Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa, Canada: five awards
*Four Seasons was the brand standout, with nine awards.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
