Tourism is changing the concept of "healing".

No longer just relaxing vacations, "healing" tourism is being redefined in a deeper, more substantive way. The strong growth of wellness tourism is opening up a new approach: travel is not just for relaxation, but also for the holistic rejuvenation of body, mind, and spirit.

Tourists enjoy their holiday in a green environment at Pu Luong Eco Garden Resort.

After a period of being a popular "keyword," the concept of "healing" tourism is gradually shedding its trendy image to enter a more clearly defined phase. Previously, a quiet space close to nature or a secluded resort could be associated with the word "healing." However, the needs of tourists have changed significantly, no longer focusing on short-term relaxation but rather on experiences that can improve health, balance emotions, and re-establish a lifestyle. This shift has made wellness tourism – health and wellness tourism – the dominant trend, gradually changing the understanding of "healing" in the tourism industry.

According to tourism experts, the difference between wellness tourism and previous forms of relaxation lies in its proactive nature and the depth of the experience. While previously tourists primarily sought rest to forget their fatigue, now they travel to transform themselves. A trip is no longer just about accommodation and sightseeing, but is designed as a comprehensive health and wellness journey, encompassing diet, physical activity, and mental balance activities such as yoga, meditation, and natural spa treatments. "Healing," therefore, is no longer a fleeting emotional state but a process with clear goals, linked to the individual needs of the traveler.

Along with this, the trend towards personalization is gradually changing the way tourism products are organized. Wellness programs are designed specifically to suit the physical condition, age, lifestyle habits, and even psychological stress of each group of customers. This clearly reflects a change in tourism consumption behavior, as tourists are increasingly willing to pay for practical values ​​that bring long-term health benefits. Many people no longer view tourism as merely an expense for enjoyment, but rather as a form of "investment" in the quality of life.

Nguyen Ha Phuong, Business Director of VNPlus Travel (Hac Thanh Ward), said: "Another prominent trend contributing to redefining 'healing' is the combination of tourism and physical activity. Therefore, our company has developed several tours that allocate time for tourists to actively participate in physical activities such as hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, boating, or other outdoor experiences. This physical activity not only helps improve physical fitness but also creates a connection with nature – considered the core element of the body-mind-spirit recovery process. In addition, models such as 'temporarily disconnecting from digital devices,' improving sleep, or living slowly in green spaces are also being researched for implementation in the near future."

With its diverse landscapes encompassing sea, forests, plains, and a rich cultural heritage, Thanh Hoa possesses numerous advantages for developing distinctive wellness tourism products. Coastal areas like Sam Son and Hai Tien can offer relaxing activities combined with outdoor exercise, yoga, and meditation on the beach; while mountainous regions like Pu Luong and Ban But are more suited to ecotourism, nature experiences, and slow-paced experiences connected with local communities.

According to Do Duc Manh, Director of Pu Luong Eco Garden Resort (Pu Luong commune): “The wellness tourism trend will continue to develop strongly in the future. This is an opportunity for Thanh Hoa tourism to restructure its products towards quality, while enhancing the value of the destination and targeting higher-spending customer segments. This requires a change from the mindset of product development to the methods of organization and promotion, focusing on market demand rather than relying solely on existing advantages.”

The changing concept of "healing" not only reflects new tourist demands but also necessitates innovation in the tourism industry. Meanwhile, the adoption of this trend in most tourist areas and destinations within the province still faces certain limitations. Many destinations only exploit existing resources and have not yet upgraded their products into in-depth experiences; human resources are limited; and there are no exemplary models to replicate effectively...

From simply being a vacation, "healing" tourism is becoming an active journey where people seek balance, restore energy, and develop themselves. When wellness tourism is properly understood and implemented, it will not only be about trips, but will become a journey to build a higher quality of life for travelers, while promoting responsible tourism and creating a green, safe, and friendly tourism environment.

Text and photos: Le Anh

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/du-lich-thay-doi-nbsp-khai-niem-chua-lanh-282678.htm