For First Time, Wellness Tourism Industry Has Own Association

A group of wellness industry executives announced this week the creation of the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA), the first of its kind association aimed at promoting wellness tourism.

Members of the association include Andrew Gibson, the vice president of wellbeing at Accor Hotels; Tom Klein, the president and chief operating officer of Canyon Ranch; Anne Dimon, the founder and CEO of TravelToWellness.com; Nilendu Srivastava, the managing director of The Art of Living Retreat Center; Medeleine Marentette, owner of Grail Springs; and Jim Forberg, a founding partner and chief operating officer of Unicomm LLC.

According to co-founder and chairman Gibson, the WTA plans “to support and further the growth and development of the wellness tourism industry through networking, education, communication and marketing.” 

WTA will offer membership to destination marketing organizations, hotels and resorts, destination spas, tour operators, travel advisors, wellness educators and others with an interest in supporting the industry. IT will aim to educate consumers and help define the industry as a whole.