Banff ranked top global destination for emerging ‘skin-cation’ travel trend

A new travel trend known as ‘skin-cations’ is emerging, where travelers select destinations based on environmental factors that benefit skin health, such as air quality, humidity, and water mineral composition.

According to Icelandair’s World Natural Beauty Index, Banff, Alberta, has been ranked as the top global destination for these trips. The ranking, which evaluated destinations based on PM2.5 pollution levels, temperature, wind speed, and access to thermal baths, awarded Banff a score of 7.48 out of 10. The location was noted for its low air pollution and calcium-sulphate-rich thermal waters.

Other luxury wellness destinations continue to leverage local natural resources to offer specialized treatments. In Sardinia, Italy, the Hotel Capo d’Orso utilizes thalassotherapy—the use of seawater for wellbeing—and native botanicals like pompia citrus oil to create personalized wellness programs.