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AMMAN, Jordan / Al-Bawaba / January 1, 2009
Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, is an Emirati mass communications expert. She has a Bachelors degree (1999) in Media, Marketing and Sociology and worked with a mainline Arabic newspaper for three years before taking over as business editor of a leading Arab business magazine. She then moved on for a four year stint as head of PR of the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation. Currently, Al Mansoori heads the Middle East office of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Ms Al Mansoori underlines Sri Lanka’s key attractions.
What are the new trends in tourism?
Wellness is becoming a trend that people are looking for in all areas of their life including their travel plans. Meaning, purpose, health and vitality are essential for the wellness of an individual. Choosing activities that foster physical, spiritual and mental well being are quickly becoming important to many people in choosing how they spend their leisure time. Everyone’s lives have become so busy and overcrowded. Technology has increased life to high speed. A chance to breathe, relax and engage in a renewing activity is becoming vital.
Wellness tourism offers a chance to re-energize, rejuvenate and become inspired and Sri Lanka is showing the way with thousands of spas dotting the country. There are many opportunities for people to participate in wellness tourism. Anything from spa weekends and yoga retreats to Ayurvedic spas that include a spiritually renewing program. There are adventures that provide healthy, gourmet food choices or an adventure to spiritual places across the country.
So how important is spa & wellness tourism?
Spa and wellness tourism is a rapidly growing industry around the world. Every seven seconds a baby boomer is turning fifty years old and approaching retirement. There is a phenomenal interest among these individuals in tourism that incorporates wellness. In America, in the past two years AED 41.10 billion has been spent on spa and wellness tourism by Americans and over AED 4 billion by Canadians. Wellness and anti aging are a trillion dollar business globally.
So what specialist tours offered?
Journeys in nature with tours incorporating physical, spiritual and emotional well being are being offered by Sri Lanka’s travel trade. Soft adventure tours such as sea-kayaking, hiking and cross country trekking tours in the most beautiful wilderness settings are being offered.
Custom and corporate options are available as well. Menus provide for optimal nutrition, energy and freshness. Emphasis is given for respect and stewardship of our environment. Wellness is essential to be able to enjoy and honour all of life.
What about the active traveller?
For those seeking an adrenaline boost, there's a wide variety to choose from including rafting hiking trails, elephant safaris, mountain biking, fishing, camping, and tons of outdoor adventure.
Reconnect with nature and catch a glimpse of a wild elephant, gaze at the pristine grace of a leopard, see a nesting turtle lay its eggs on the beach or witness the dazzling display of peacock feathers. The country is blessed with an abundance of natural diversity despite its small size.
This astounding diversity is largely due to its dramatically different terrains ranging from coastal plains to hill country and lush rainforests to arid dry zones. Nature lovers will find 400 species of bird, 250 species of fish and 150 species of land and marine animals.
Large areas rich in flora and fauna are conserved in 13 national parks across the country and over 100 other protected areas. The jungle comes alive with a myriad sights, sounds and motions. In Sri Lanka, guests shoot with their cameras and not their rifles.
© 2009
Al Bawaba
Heba Al Ghais Al Mansoori, is an Emirati mass communications expert. She has a Bachelors degree (1999) in Media, Marketing and Sociology and worked with a mainline Arabic newspaper for three years before taking over as business editor of a leading Arab business magazine. She then moved on for a four year stint as head of PR of the Middle East Broadcasting Corporation. Currently, Al Mansoori heads the Middle East office of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Ms Al Mansoori underlines Sri Lanka’s key attractions.
What are the new trends in tourism?
Wellness is becoming a trend that people are looking for in all areas of their life including their travel plans. Meaning, purpose, health and vitality are essential for the wellness of an individual. Choosing activities that foster physical, spiritual and mental well being are quickly becoming important to many people in choosing how they spend their leisure time. Everyone’s lives have become so busy and overcrowded. Technology has increased life to high speed. A chance to breathe, relax and engage in a renewing activity is becoming vital.
Wellness tourism offers a chance to re-energize, rejuvenate and become inspired and Sri Lanka is showing the way with thousands of spas dotting the country. There are many opportunities for people to participate in wellness tourism. Anything from spa weekends and yoga retreats to Ayurvedic spas that include a spiritually renewing program. There are adventures that provide healthy, gourmet food choices or an adventure to spiritual places across the country.
So how important is spa & wellness tourism?
Spa and wellness tourism is a rapidly growing industry around the world. Every seven seconds a baby boomer is turning fifty years old and approaching retirement. There is a phenomenal interest among these individuals in tourism that incorporates wellness. In America, in the past two years AED 41.10 billion has been spent on spa and wellness tourism by Americans and over AED 4 billion by Canadians. Wellness and anti aging are a trillion dollar business globally.
So what specialist tours offered?
Journeys in nature with tours incorporating physical, spiritual and emotional well being are being offered by Sri Lanka’s travel trade. Soft adventure tours such as sea-kayaking, hiking and cross country trekking tours in the most beautiful wilderness settings are being offered.
Custom and corporate options are available as well. Menus provide for optimal nutrition, energy and freshness. Emphasis is given for respect and stewardship of our environment. Wellness is essential to be able to enjoy and honour all of life.
What about the active traveller?
For those seeking an adrenaline boost, there's a wide variety to choose from including rafting hiking trails, elephant safaris, mountain biking, fishing, camping, and tons of outdoor adventure.
Reconnect with nature and catch a glimpse of a wild elephant, gaze at the pristine grace of a leopard, see a nesting turtle lay its eggs on the beach or witness the dazzling display of peacock feathers. The country is blessed with an abundance of natural diversity despite its small size.
This astounding diversity is largely due to its dramatically different terrains ranging from coastal plains to hill country and lush rainforests to arid dry zones. Nature lovers will find 400 species of bird, 250 species of fish and 150 species of land and marine animals.
Large areas rich in flora and fauna are conserved in 13 national parks across the country and over 100 other protected areas. The jungle comes alive with a myriad sights, sounds and motions. In Sri Lanka, guests shoot with their cameras and not their rifles.
© 2009 Al Bawaba
