The Next Wave in Wellness, Good-For-You Travel Goes Green

Especially among luxury travelers, eco-consciousness is a new minimum standard, even when planning a wellness getaway with the ultimate goal to reconnect with self. From remote eco-lodges to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, top wellness travel destinations now intertwine wellness with environmental friendliness in some seriously special ways.

Wellness Wave

The wellness economy is booming. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) reports an annual 12.1% growth rate in its most recent Global Wellness Economy Monitor report. Wellness tourism is the fourth most valuable vertical market within the larger wellness economy. Wellness tourism will likely maintain a 16.6% annual growth rate through 2027.

What is wellness in the context of travel? The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) defines the term as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” For travelers, however, this extends beyond experiences traditionally associated with wellness, like spa treatments and self-care.

Finding a sense of wellness on vacation often means forging a connection with oneself and one’s environment. Cookie-cutter beach resorts and run-of-the-mill spa treatments get cut from itineraries in pursuit of local knowledge, practice, and wisdom.

Examples of travel wellness include indulgent farm-to-table culinary experiences that highlight local flavors or ancient Mesoamerican temazcal treatments at resorts in Mexico’s most popular beach towns. However, preservation should be the primary priority of those looking to forge profound connections.

Meet Oil Nut Bay

An increasingly Earth-friendly experience is a highlight of Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands. “David V. Johnson, Chairman of Victor International and the esteemed developer behind Oil Nut Bay, is passionate about sustainability, so we prioritize environmentally friendly practices in every aspect of our development,” says Emily Oakes, VP of Business at Oil Nut Bay.

Secluded in a pristine corner of Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean, Oil Nut Bay is equally thoughtful about its eco-friendly design and luxurious touches. 

“The resort is classified as low-density with only 180 homesites spread across over 400 acres,” says Oakes. “We maintain 50 percent of the land as open space to preserve the island’s diverse topography and beautiful ocean views.” 

Oil Nut Bay’s on-hand environmental team ensures the property has as little impact as possible. The resort adheres to LEED energy standards and utilizes solar panels to meet the development’s electricity needs. Intensive water management practices, including greywater reuse and desalination, conserve resort resources.

Resort patrons can participate in conservation themselves. Oil Nut Bay encourages guests to get involved in green initiatives for a “rejuvenating connection with nature, reduces stress, and promotes mental clarity,” says Oakes. Oil Nut Bay’s interactive nature center immerses visitors in eco-tourism through wildlife education, topography, and ocean conservation.

Oil Nut Bay’s most memorable activities include a turtle tagging expedition with a marine biologist. Back on the island, the animal rescue barn protects animals of all kinds and is home to everything from emus to red-footed tortoises.

The pristine property poses prime opportunities for those whose definition of wellness includes activity. Numerous hiking trails boast expansive ocean views and property picnic spots peppering the path. The Ranger Program offers young globetrotters chances to scuba dive, stargaze, and identify island flora and fauna. The resort’s other adventurous activities, like kiteboarding, snorkeling, and windfoiling, target adrenaline-seeking wellness travelers. 

A New Definition of Wellness

A unifying thread of environmental thoughtfulness and respectful wildlife interaction connects every resort element. Oil Nut Bay’s traditional trappings of a luxury wellness destination — a state-of-the-art gym, in-villa spa services, and private yoga and meditation sessions — are just the start of its extensive experience menu. Oil Nut Bay’s brand new overwater spa, Sundara, promises exciting new aspects for wellness journeys when it opens to guests in 2025.

This holistic approach “allows travelers to explore and embrace wellness in ways that resonate with them personally, whether they seek relaxation, adventure, spiritual growth, or physical rejuvenation,” says Oakes.