Discover Luxury: The Rising Trend of Longevity Tourism

On Sep 22, 2024

The Luxury of Longevity: Wellness Cruises and Treatments

Imagine being on a cruise ship, soaking in the mesmerizing view of the Mediterranean Sea. Instead of lounging with a cocktail and fries, you find yourself at an IV station for a stem-cell treatment, followed by a quick Botox session. Then, you sit down for a healthy blue zone-inspired meal, freshly grown on the ship’s solar-powered organic farm.

Storylines’ Wellness Cruise: A New Wave in Longevity Tourism

This scenario is not a peek into the future, but a glimpse into the offerings of a wellness cruise by Storylines—a new trend in longevity tourism. This sector has emerged as a rapidly growing segment of the $5.6 trillion wellness industry. Storylines brands itself as the “blue zone at sea,” catering to consumers’ desire for healthier and longer lives.

According to Beth McGroarty, Vice President of Research at the non-profit Global Wellness Institute, this trend reflects a shift away from the traditional vacation model of excessive indulgence in food and alcohol towards a focus on health and wellness.

The Second Wave of Wellness Tourism

The wellness tourism sector has witnessed an impressive 30% increase in travelers between 2020 and 2022. Expected to reach $1 trillion by the end of 2024, wellness tourism has become more popular as people increasingly seek travel experiences that can help improve their health and well-being. This trend coincides with the rapid growth of the $27 billion longevity market.

Understanding the Luxury Wellness Market

For example, guests of the Four Seasons Resort Maui can participate in a range of longevity-forward offerings that extend beyond traditional spa treatments. These include a four-course ozone, stem-cell, exosome and NAD+ therapy package for $44,000, and a “Gut Health IV” treatment to reduce inflammation for $299.

Longevity education is another emerging trend. For $70,000, longevity entrepreneur Peter Diamandis offers a five-day “Platinum Longevity Trip”, where guests learn about optimizing sleep, nutrition, and exercise, along with novel treatments and biohacks from leading researchers.

As people increasingly recognize that a healthy lifestyle can improve their health outcomes, vacation time is becoming an opportunity to enhance lifestyle choices. Whether it’s an IV before dinner or botox on a cruise ship, the meaning of travel is evolving, and it’s becoming increasingly exclusive.