Industry research and educational organisation the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has announced that the UK is the latest country to be highlighted on its new Geography of Wellness microsite.

Launched in early 2022, the platform allows the GWI to provide more extensive country-level data when it comes to examining where the country is positioned within each sector and subsector of the wellness economy.

Global wellbeing company Therme Group – which views wellbeing as ultimately linked to community, culture and the natural world – has partnered with GWI to highlight recent research on the UK’s wellness economy.

“It’s been a pleasure getting to know more about Therme’s commitment to community, including its unique entertainment and wellbeing destinations based in the ancient traditions of thermal bathing, as well as its focus on wellbeing therapies, art and culture, botanics, food and nutrition,” said Susie Ellis, GWI chair and CEO.

“The Group’s philosophy that wellbeing should be accessible for all – and its aim to bring a Therme destination within a 90-minute travel time to 90 per cent of the British population – makes them a great partner for our organisation.”

It’s been a busy fortnight for news from Therme after the group unveiled its plans to open a US$200m (£166.9m, €193.6m) year-round wellbeing resort in the South Korean city of Incheon and revealed new visuals and updated plans as part of its project to redevelop Ontario Place and open a wellbeing resort in Canada (see renderings below).

The UK wellness economy

According to GWI data, the UK’s wellness economy grew from US$149.6bn (£123.1bn, €143,3bn) in 2017 to US$158.4bn (£130.4bn, €151.7bn) in 2020, ranking the country fifth out of the 218 measured worldwide and second in Europe.

The research also reveals that the highest spike in the wellness economy occurred in 2019 (pre-pandemic) when it was valued at US$167.8bn (£138.2bn, €160.7bn).

The hardest hit categories during the pandemic have reopened (Physical Activity, Spas, Thermal/Mineral Springs and Wellness Tourism) and the UK’s wellness economy is back in a strong position for continued growth.

A key highlight within the report relating to this period demonstrates the UK’s proportional increase in mental health awareness, as well as products and services in this sector.

“The societal shifts that we’re seeing in this report underline the importance of our projects in the UK,” said Stelian Iacob, senior VP of Therme Group UK. “We work to address wellbeing in all social and environmental dimensions, including improving physical and mental health.

“Our mission is to help people live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”

GWI’s macro wellness economy market data, along with a deep dive into the UK, can be found in the newly released report, The Global Wellness Economy: United Kingdom.