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Wellness travel is no longer just about booking a massage and calling it self-care. According to the State of Retreats 2026 Report by BookRetreats.com, more travellers are now booking holidays that promise something beyond a tan and an overworked camera roll.
The report, which surveyed 1,040 US travellers, found that nearly half of respondents – 49 percent – plan to spend on a wellness retreat this year. That puts retreats ahead of spa treatments, supplements and gym memberships. By 2027, the Global Wellness Institute forecasts wellness tourism will reach US$1.4 trillion.
BookRetreats.com ranked the world’s top trending wellness destinations for 2026 based on year-on-year growth across its platform. And the destination seeing the biggest surge in interest is Sri Lanka, where demand from wellness travellers has risen by 100 percent.
Why is Sri Lanka trending for wellness travel?
Sri Lanka has long had a strong wellness case to make. The island is known for its doctor-led Ayurvedic traditions, with wellness holidays rooted in practices said to date back more than 2,000 years. It is also relatively affordable: according to BookRetreats.com, three- to four-day wellness retreats start at around US$372.18.
The timing helps too. From May 25, 2026, Sri Lanka waived visa fees for tourists from 40 countries, saving a family of four US$200 before they even land.
Beyond the price tag, Sri Lanka also offers year-round beach potential thanks to its two monsoon seasons, meaning one coast is usually sunny whatever the time of year. The island is also home to wild elephants and offshore blue whales, which gives wellness travellers plenty to do between yoga mats and herbal treatments.
Which other Asian destinations made the list?
Asia has two more destinations in the top 10. Nepal ranks sixth, with interest up 52 percent, driven by the rise of yoga-and-hiking retreats as more travellers pair movement with the outdoors.
Thailand comes in seventh, with interest up 48 percent. The report highlights the country’s strength in restorative wellness, with spa retreats remaining the most popular retreat type in 2026. Thailand is also part of the growing integrative wellness trend, blending traditional medicine and massage with modern treatments and medical tourism.
Here are the top trending wellness destinations for 2026:
- Sri Lanka – +100%
- Australia – +85%
- Morocco – +83%
- England – +82%
- Spain – +80%
- Nepal – +52%
- Thailand – +48%
- Mexico – +44%
- Costa Rica – +42%
- Canada – +36%
Have you heard? Singapore, Japan and Malaysia are among the world’s most peaceful countries in 2026
Plus: Thailand is launching a new immigration app to cut airport processing times
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