Karen asked to mention:

Belgravia’s participation as Gold Sponsors and also the session Karen is delivering with Charles Davidson on Hot Springs

Let’s Bathe! Benefits for Communities, Individuals and the Planet

Charles Davidson (Founder Peninsula Hot Springs), Karen Golden (General Manager Tourism & Wellness, Belgravia Leisure Group). Moderator: Matt Sykes

Inaugural Wellness Tourism Summit to reveal leading trends and latest research into tourism’s boom sector

Beach boot camp, massage, mindful meditation and coastal walks are just some of the ways delegates can start the day at Australia’s first-ever Wellness Tourism Industry Summit on the 19th and 20th March.

To be held at the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, the Summit has already attracted over 150 delegates eager to grow their business and tap into the booming wellness tourism sector which is one of the fastest growing segments in tourism overall.

The Summit program will reveal the latest research, consumer trends and best practice in wellness travel and tourism, with more than 30 leading wellness travel experts sharing their insights into the growing wellness tourism sector.

Katherine Droga, founder of the Wellness Tourism Summit and Chair of the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) Wellness Tourism Initiative, will release findings from research carried out among 1,500 consumers across 8 key countries that shows a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable experiences such as open-air cold baths at Artic Bath hotel and spa in Sweden or connecting with nature at Daintree Ecolodge, a trend Droga describes as ‘the sleeping giant of wellness tourism’.

Emlyn Brown, Accor’s Paris-based Vice-President Wellbeing, Luxury and Premium Brands will talk about how to ensure that hotel experiences deliver opportunities for wellness and well-being.

Sharon Kolkka, general manager and wellness director at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, and Janine Hall – founder of Escape Haven and The Palm Tree House in Bali, Indonesia, will discuss what immersive wellness travellers are looking for.

Anne Warren, an Aboriginal elder will share her wisdom on medicinal and spiritual properties of plants and indigenous healing and rituals and Deb Caruso – Vice President, Slow Food Noosa – will provide insights into the growing slow food movement.

Additional speakers’ presentations will cover themes including the art of transformational travel, positive psychology and synchronicity and how it can help wellness travel and global trends for spa experiences.

The conference day will start with a specially-designed Wake Up to Wellness program to get everyone ready for the day ahead.

Delegates can get their hearts and minds pumping with a beach training session run by Noosa Heads Surf Lifesaving Club – expect sprints, lunges, squats and ropes. Alternatively, they can take in some ‘fresh air mindfulness’, a special meditation session led by Wellness Tourism Summit speaker Damian Chapparo of renowned Aro Ha Retreat in New Zealand.

To really get to know Noosa, delegates can join an immersive nature walk with Trek Coach while Claire Toone, owner of Noosa Flow, will lead a morning yoga, pilates and meditation class.

The opening night, Thursday 19 March, will commence with welcome function hosted by Tourism Noosa and a chance for delegates to network with industry colleagues and media. Friday 20 March will begin with the Wake up to Wellness program followed by the Summit showcase, a full day of wellness travel immersion with talks and panel discussions on the main stage.

Over the course of the day, delegates will be able to sample wellness experiences and products across the Summits Refresh, Nourish and Discover breakout areas including free facials from Hydrafacial, refreshing elixir shots of nutrient rich ingredients from Waterlily, juices from Finn Cold Press and neck and shoulder massages from Stephanie’s Luxury Spa with lunch provided by Peter Kuruvita’s award-winning Noosa Beach House.

Droga – who is also founder of sustainable tourism consultancy Droga & Co and a former senior executive at Tourism Australia – said the Wellness Tourism Summit would be a chance for delegates to fully realise the value of the wellness economy and the diversity within the sector.

“There are huge benefits to businesses engaging in wellness tourism. Wellness travellers often tread lightly, respect the environment, value local community connections, and help mitigate over-tourism issues that many destinations now face” said Droga. “Wellness travellers also assist a destination with seasonality flows, stay longer than regular tourists and often spend more” continued Droga.

The Wellness Tourism Summit has limited delegate places available. More information can be found at www.wellnesstourismsummit.com.au

The Wellness Tourism Summit is supported by Tourism Noosa, Tourism Australia and Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort.