Wellbeing Futures: Travel for The Anxiety Era
Published 17 November 2025
Brands are harnessing travel as a pathway to emotional renewal in a world weighed down by stress and uncertainty. While destinations set about highlighting their happiness-inducing assets – from fresh air to soothing surroundings – hospitality operators are devising sensory-laden escapes from screen-dominated lifestyles. Deeper healing work, including processing trauma and forging meaningful relationships, is also becoming part of travel’s wider wellbeing blueprint.
Happy & Hopeful Destinations
The Soft Power of Travel
High-Octane Healing
In an age of prolific burnout and emotional overload, travel is emerging as a potent prescription for wellbeing. From dopamine-boosting destinations to curated ‘calmcations’, travellers are seeking escapes that soothe the nervous system, spark joy and provide respite from everyday stressors.
In an age of prolific burnout and emotional overload, travel is emerging as a potent prescription for wellbeing. From dopamine-boosting destinations to curated ‘calmcations’, travellers are seeking escapes that soothe the nervous system, spark joy and provide respite from everyday stressors.
In response to digital fatigue, a wave of analogue, nostalgic and soothing leisure experiences is reshaping the travel landscape. From vinyl listening suites and vintage photography studios to screen-free flights and bibliotherapy retreats, travellers are gravitating towards unfiltered, sensory-rich escapes that prioritise presence, creativity and connection. See also Reclaiming Play: Brands Offer Kidults Joyful Escapism.
For those willing to embark on both an emotional and physical journey, travel can be used as a tool to unlock deep healing, release trauma, and catalyse lasting change. Hospitality and leisure brands are uniquely positioned to enable this transformation, offering spaces and experiences that foster reflection, sensory engagement and renewal. See Wellness Travel Trends: 25/26 for more destinations geared towards healing.
Wellbeing Futures: Travel for The Anxiety Era
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