5 minute read
MEETING PLACES
MIXING BUSINESS
We all work better when we’re feeling our best, which is why wellness elements are appearing at business events – including venues that are engineered to support wellness. Meetings explores some of these spaces and the benefits of going this route. & health
Advertisement
Wellness tourism – defined by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) as “travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal well-being” – was valued as a US$720 billion (R12.25 trillion) market in 2019. Like all forms of tourism, it took a hard hit during the pandemic, but it is expected to bounce back with vigour (in part because the pandemic has placed a greater appreciation and value on good health) and the GWI predicts it will reach a value of $1.1 trillion (R18.73 trillion) in 2025.
This economic value is driven by the fact that making healthy choices is such a prevalent phenomenon. For example, 92% of wellness trips and 90% of wellness tourism spend in 2020 were made by secondary wellness travellers. This means that wellness was not the primary purpose of their trip, but at least some of the choices and activities during their trip were intended to maintain good health and wellness.
Another GWI study estimates that 10-15% of global economic output is lost every year from workforce unwellness, including chronic disease, work-related injuries and illnesses, work-related stress, and employee disengagement. Supporting employee wellness presents businesses with an opportunity to reduce losses and save money. It’s no wonder that wellness is making its way into the workplace, and into the business events and tourism space. But what does this look like?
PUTTING HEALTH FIRST
Anne Biging and Dr Elisabeth Ixmeier founded Healing Hotels of the World in 2006, a global hospitality brand focused on health and healing. In addition to providing consulting services, Healing Hotels has curated two collections of member hotels in 35 countries – including South Africa.
Anne says, “There has been a high interest in this market among corporate travellers for quite a while now, as business travellers seek a mental balance between work and relaxation.”
As a consequence, the company has launched its second collection – the Urban
Healing Hotel Collection – to specifically target business travellers. These member hotels “offer safe spaces, with an advanced spa menu, healthy food options, and often close access to some form of nature.”
This last point relates to the proven health benefits that being in nature offers, and which has led doctors around the world to give patients ‘green prescriptions’ as part of their treatment plan for long Covid. Therefore, if you’re looking for a venue to promote health and well-being, this should be a consideration.
“When it comes to the concept of healing in the MICE market, there is a strong demand. Healing setups are a hot topic, especially in business environments. This varies in the different fields: at conferences, bigger companies choose the healthy food options, organise movement and meditation breaks, or offer treatments to conference participants. Not only do they follow the trend, but they see the desire among the participants,” adds Anne.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
One Healing Hotels member is Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa, a five-star luxury hotel in Paarl. Ingrid Hindle, CEO and co-owner, shares that the corporate clients they attract are often blue-chip companies that “have a natural affiliation to health and wellness”, such as insurance companies, medical aids and the health faculties of universities.
Ingrid believes that the foundation of health is through healthy foods. She expands, “Our cuisine is proudly prepared without the use of sugar, dairy, gluten, colourants or preservatives, and we make use of low GI. The dishes are therefore revitalising and energising – not to mention delicious and filling – and do not allow the sudden drop in sugar levels associated with high-sugar, high-carb meals. This enables participants to remain fully focused and attentive throughout their days at Santé, enhancing productivity and output at conferences.”
Santé (which is French for ‘health’) also offers yoga sessions and healthy cooking demonstrations, which Ingrid says are great tools to build team spirit while also imparting simple and healthy lifestyle changes. And of course, the spa is also available to provide health optimising treatments to those who want them.
Samantha Geyser, spa manager at The Fairway, says spa add-ons are becoming increasingly popular for conference organisers “as a value-add or an extra activity for the delegates and to make their conference more enjoyable and memorable.”
Not only is this a treat, Samantha highlights that the benefits of massage can also help delegates get the most out of the conference. For example, the increased flow of blood and flow of the lymphatic system can help to reduces stress, tension and pain, while improving energy and alertness – all of which can promote better focus.
CONFERENCING WITH A DIFFERENCE
When it comes to conferencing, incorporating spa treatments in the programme is unusual but it can be done. Corné Houston, spa manager at Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa, explains, “We do conferencing with a difference. While we include your standard items and conference setup, guests can remove their shoes on arrival and get into our spa slippers. (The more adventurous groups change into our spa gowns and conference in that!) Each delegate receives a spa treatment and spa gift, and our facilities can be enjoyed at leisure.”
The spa conference package makes use of a small boardroom that can accommodate a maximum of 10 people, with three package options – 24-hour, full day and half day.
Corné says that “massage, massage, massage” is the most popular trend among corporate clients at present, which she attributes to the stress people have been living under over the past two years.
On the topic of trends, Anne adds that Covid has caused many Healing Hotels to establish long-Covid programmes and packages that focus on emotional balance and spiritual well-being. “Also, worth mentioning is a stronger lookout for properties that embrace sustainable practices and display social responsibility,” she notes, both of which are aspects of good health beyond the individual level.
