You’ve heard of people traveling to go and see exciting landmarks around the world, but have you heard of anyone traveling to sleep? Sleep tourism has become a massive trend in the wellness industry, defined as a focus on enhancing sleep through programs and amenities available at luxury hotels and resorts around the world. From the most plush pillows to spa treatments focused on helping you rest and recover, sleep tourism is all the rage.
If you’re eager to learn more about this fantastic sleep trend, read on! We’ll dive into what sleep tourism is, how it developed, the components that make a sleep tourism experience, and even some of the most popular gadgets and destinations where you can get your sleep on.
Defining Sleep Tourism: A Focus on Sleep Quality and Stress Reduction
As mentioned, sleep tourism is the trend defined as people seeking out specific experiences where they can rest, recover, and focus on getting quality shuteye overnight. Some people will take part in retreats focused on sleep, while others will find it sleep tourist experiences as simple as going away to a hotel for the weekend.
At its root, sleep tourism is all about helping you reduce the stress you face in your life so you can get better rest. It became more of an area of focus after the pandemic, mainly because people were struggling with changes in their daily life. For those who were locked down at home, they faced immense stress that impacted their quality and duration of sleep. Hence, so many people sought to take a “staycation” so that they could enjoy better rest but get out of their homes for the time being!
Whether you choose a wellness retreat, specialized hotel, or sleep-centric vacation package, sleep tourism is a great opportunity for you to heal and recover. Let’s take a look at some of the most common components necessary for an exceptional sleep tourist experience, no matter what you choose.
The Most Common Necessities for a Great Sleep Tourism Experience
Sleep tourism is an attractive choice if you’re looking for great rest and a chance to recover, but what exactly defines these getaways? What truly defines a sleep tourism experience as compared to a normal staycation? According to experts, here is a list of the common necessities to truly curate a beneficial sleep tourist trip:
- Blackout Curtains: Getting ample sleep is not possible if you have to mitigate light and other disturbances at random hours of the day. That’s why hotels like the Equinox Hotel in New York City have implemented light-blocking curtains to help people block out the light so that they can get the right amount of rest.
- Soundproofed Rooms: Many hotels have taken their efforts up a notch, and they have begun to make most of their rooms soundproof. This is a major plus for those of us who have struggled with paper-thin walls that have led to interruptions in our sleep. With soundproofed walls, you won’t hear a thing that anyone else is up to while you sleep.
- Temperature-Adjusted Beds: To truly make a sleep tourism experience luxurious, many resorts and retreats have invested in rooms that have adjustable beds. You can adjust your bed to be as cool or warm as you want, ensuring that you never have to worry about getting too cold or too hot overnight.
- Relaxing Activities like Yoga: Another major component that has led to some of the most restful sleep tourism experiences is the inclusion of relaxing activities like yoga, Pilates, massages, and even cryotherapy sessions. These are all exceptional exercises to leverage that will further help you reduce stress and recover as you get back to a restful sleep pattern. Some programs also offer nutritional counseling!
- Sleep Gadgets to Monitor Rest: There are numerous sleep tourism retreats that have taken it upon themselves to integrate gadgets and technology to help monitor your sleep. While these do come at a cost, they are great for measuring the quality of your rest and helping you find out where your problem areas are so you can work on improving your sleep.
The Most Popular Destinations to Engage in Sleep Tourism
Now that we’ve explored some of the most popular aspects of sleep tourism, you might be ready to head to your first retreat! But where can you go? Truthfully, the world is your oyster, as there are virtually endless possibilities for your sleep tourism trip. You can stay in some of the world’s most desired hotels in cities like New York City or Miami. Alternatively, for a truly luxurious weekend away from home, you can travel to faraway destinations like Hawaii, Ibiza, Cabo, France, or even Turkey.
Some people even like to go glamping in extraordinary places where there are more stars than there are skyscrapers and people. For those who love to stargaze, this is an amazing opportunity! Ultimately, where you go is up to you, but you can choose from spa resorts in Japan, luxury hotels in the United States, or even wellness retreats in Switzerland or other regions of the world.
However, you can also engage in a staycation and just book a hotel near home for cheap that offers soundproof rooms and ample comfy bedding. The choice is yours! No matter where you go, you’ll be doing yourself a favor.
Book Your First Weekend of Sleep Tourism Today to Feel the Benefits
Regardless of your chosen destination, sleep tourism holds a lot of promise, especially for those of us who struggle with getting ample rest. Sleep tourism has helped so many people reduce their stress levels and improve their sleep quality, and it can do the same for you, too! Even if you don’t have a lot to spend on a luxury week away with consultants and trainers, you can still reap the benefits by having a staycation and focusing on yourself for a weekend. Where in the world will you take your first sleep tourism trip?
