Recommend July 2018 - 54

Photo CouRtesy of Playa ViVa by KeVin steele

Mexico

10 Wellness Bookings

Paloma Villaverde de Rico

Spiritual journey, yoga retreats, meditative
spaces, activity-fueled getaway, or a tequilainfused massage-whatever your client's
desire, resorts in Mexico are focusing
on activities and programs that put the
spotlight on your client's well-being while
they are vacationing.
"Wellness vacations come in a wide array
of travel opportunities," says Jeri Donovan,
wellness travel specialist and founder/
owner of Well Traveled, an independent
affiliate of Andavo Travel, and a Virtuoso
member. "This type of travel is almost as
broad as the various definitions of 'wellness.'
Wellness is not a one-size-fits-all concept.
As many wellness travel advisors do, I define
a wellness vacation or wellness travel as a
vacation planned with 'intent to improve
or maintain one's well-being.' This, of
course, looks different for everyone with
our variety of needs." Adds Paula Kaisner,
Dream Vacations franchise owner, a wellness
vacation "is an opportunity for clients to
get away from their day-to-day routine and
maintain and add to what they do from a
health and wellness way of life at home."
Kaisner says that the majority of her
54 july 2018

wellness clients are Gen X, as "many of them
are recent empty nesters and are looking to
focus on themselves and a healthy lifestyle."
Donovan's clients, on the other hand,
range from Baby Boomers to Millennials,
with "Millennials and Gen X seeking yoga
retreats, active adventure and wellness
resorts," she notes. "Baby Boomers have
requested more wellness resorts and fitness
vacations," Donovan points out.

Local Healing
Many of the resorts in Mexico look to their
local traditions for inspiration in creating
well-being programs. At the renovated Zen
Spa at Hyatt Zilara Cancun, for example,
your clients can opt for the Tzolkin Mayan
Ritual, during which the therapist will seek
out what the Mayan believe are the body's
main energy points in order to release the
orderly flow of energy, and thus help relax
the body, improve circulation, eliminate
toxins, soothe muscle pain, help sleep
better, release endorphins and improve
mood. Clients can also make their own local
souvenir at the spa's Alchemy Workshop,
where, among other things, they can

concoct their own purifying facials, and
learn the benefits and techniques used in spa
treatments.
Maya Tulum Resort, considered by many
to be Tulum's first wellness resort, features
49 thatched-roof villas, beachfront and
oceanview cabanas, along with two yoga
halls offering daily classes, a meditation
labyrinth, a healing center offering spa
treatments based on Mayan rituals, and a
Temazcal sweat lodge for traditional Mayan
ceremonies. Recommend the resort's 5-night
Mind, Body + Spirit package that includes
overnight accommodations, yoga sessions,
spa treatments, three healthy meals daily
and more.
There's a twist on how tequila is used at
the Brio Spa at Vidanta Riviera Maya: The
resort has its own tequila-oil that's used in a
full-body treatment, the aptly named Tequila
Massage. Beyond the spa, this 1,000-acre
hotel complex offers 15 restaurants, a variety
of accommodation options, and a range
of amenities, including the area's resident
Cirque du Soleil show, JOYA.
On Mexico's Pacific coast, the Hilton
Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort's eforea
recommend.com
http://www.recommend.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2018
