Wellness and spiritual tourism trends expand in Hawaii and India

Global travel trends are shifting toward wellness and spiritual tourism, with travelers seeking deeper connections to nature, culture, and personal transformation. The wellness economy reached approximately $6.8 trillion in 2024.

In Hawaii, wellness offerings are expanding beyond traditional spas to include nature-based and cultural experiences. Oahu focuses on forest bathing and lei making, while Maui emphasizes the connection between land and food through farm-to-table dining. Kauai integrates regenerative agriculture and outdoor activities, and the Island of Hawaii offers cloud forest retreats and cultural canoe journeys rooted in Native Hawaiian concepts like mālama ʻāina.

In India, spiritual tourism is evolving beyond traditional pilgrimages. A report indicates that over 60% of domestic tourist visits in India are linked to religious travel. New destinations like the Eternal Oasis in Gurugram provide urban spaces for art and mindfulness, while sites like the Garden of Spiritual Wisdom in Sarnath offer immersive engagement with Buddhist and Indian philosophy.