Cheers to another trip around the sun! This is primetime for self-reflection and goal setting as we look ahead to the bright future that 2020 brings. Everyone has the best of intentions, setting lofty goals for better eating habits and achieving overall zen master status because this is your year! But, will travel be a part of your intentions for living a better life?

Turns out the answer is a resounding yes.

It’s hard to ignore the boom surrounding wellness travel as of late, but here’s exactly what it means for the year ahead.

Despite everyone and the neighbourhood stray cat taking another crack at weight loss, this year, wellness travellers will set off in search of better wellness of mind and spirit, according to a survey by global luxury travel network Virtuoso. They discovered that reducing stress and anxiety are paramount with travellers and that mindfulness and meditation are at the top of their wish list.

Who exactly is driving this wellness travel market?

Mostly women, middle aged, probably with a child or two and a laundry list of extracurricular and family obligations that leave little time for themselves. Thankfully they’re fairly established so there’s some disposable income to spend. They’ll book a wellness trip, either solo or with a group of close friends, one filled with meditation, some yoga and fresh cuisine, a spa treatment and maybe even some outdoor activities. Likely Asia (particularly Bali or Thailand), bonus points for a place that will also teach the skills needed to bring peace and serenity back home to help cope with a hectic stress filled lifestyle.

Virtuoso also noted the following emerging wellness travel trends and destinations for 2020.

1. Hotels with wellness amenities (hello eucalyptus steam room).
2. Spiritual retreats (sunrise yoga anyone?!)
3. Mental Wellness (I’ll take a dockside meditation please!)
4. Travel with a purpose (let’s get away and release some stress, shall we?)
5. Developing skill in wellness activity (teach me how to turn washing dishes at home into a transcendent experience)

By the way, the US, Bali, Thailand, and even Costa Rica are so 2019. Those in the know in 2020 (according to this study) will be heading to these newer emerging wellness destinations:

1. Bhutan
2. Croatia
3. Vietnam
4. Portugal
5. South Africa

So, whether it’s mindfulness or healing spa treatments or even healthy eating and outdoor activities, Virtuoso reports that wellness travel sales are pacing steadily for 2020 with 45 percent expecting sales to further increase. A whopping 98 percent expect the trend will continue to build.

So, where are you headed to transform in 2020?