World Wellness Weekend 2022 achieves record-breaking numbers

This year’s World Wellness Weekend (WWW) experienced record-breaking participation, new statistics have revealed. 

The 2022 event, which took place in September, was celebrated by 5,055 venues and wellness brands in 139 countries, with the likes of  Lululemon, Shangri-La, Zulal, Anantara, Jumeirah and Rocco Forte all taking part by offering fun, free, inclusive group activities, workshops and classes. 

World Wellness Weekend 2022

Participating venues included Six Senses locations worldwide; Canyon Ranch in the US; Aqua Sana at Center Parcs locations across the UK; Cartesiano in Mexico; Ten Spa in Canada; the Alba Wellness & Fusion resorts in Vietnam; and Terme di Saturnia in Italy. 

Proceedings began with sunrise yoga in thermal water at Peninsula Hot Springs in Melbourne, Australia, on September 16 and ended with sunset yoga and sound bathing at Farimont Orchid in Hawaii, with activities offered in every time zone. 

The event also included extensive online programming, with 50 online sessions including Immunocologie’s LIVE WELL virtual event, which featured 22 speakers, and the International Coaching Federation’s Wellness and Coaching session, as well as two workshops hosted by award-winning fitness coach Valérie Orsoni.

Elevating wellness worldwide

Stats from this year’s event also revealed details about the countries that took part.

Brazil was deemed the most active country with more than 509 participating venues and 715 free activities on offer. Spain was the second most active with 464 venues and 725 activities. While Japan, Italy and the UK were third, fourth and fifth respectively. The top ten also included Argentina, Vietnam, France, India and Canada. 

Also revealed were the most active spa, resort and hotel brands. With 62 spas offering 76 activities, Jiva Spa was deemed the most active spa in the world. In Brazil, Buddha Spa was the most active spa brand with 52 spas each offering an activity.  In Asia, Mandara & Chevana Spa was the most active spa brand, while in France, Groupe Snow was the most active with 11 spas and 11 activities. Peninsula Hot Springs in Australia was the most active hot spring in the world, offering an impressive 21 activities at just one venue, while the Rotary Club in was the most active philanthropy club in the Caribbean, with 22 clubs offering 25 activities.

Meanwhile, Vila Gale was named the most active hotel group in Europe with 28 participating hotels and 53 activities on offer, while Anantara and Banyan Tree were the most active resort and hotel groups in Asia. In the Caribbean, Excellence Resorts and Melia Punta Cana Beach were the most active. 

Five pillars of wellness 

Going into its seventh year, WWW is a non-profit celebration that aims to democratise wellness by promoting healthy lifestyles based on its five pillars of wellness: sleep and creativity; nutrition and immunity; movement and vitality; mindfulness and serenity; and purpose and solidarity.

Speaking to European Spa, WWW founder Jean-Guy de Gabriac said: “With ‘Living Well Together’ as its main theme, the sixth WWW had record-breaking participation with 5,000 venues including groups like Taj Hotels, Anantara Resorts, Banyan Tree, Mandara Spa, Vila Gale and Fitness First going above and beyond to offer fun free activities to guests, teams and local communities.

“Wellness is not just a decision you take to improve your mental and physical health, it’s also an act of influence to inspire those around you to become the best version of themselves.”

“There’s no nobler mission in life than to encourage everyone to become the best version of themselves in alignment with their heart, head and guts.

“The seventh WWW will continue to be a driving force to spread international best practices in wellness tourism, elevate the welfare of local communities and infuse a culture of wellbeing in corporations,” he added.

The 2023 edition of WWW is planned for September 15-17.