Spa consultancy and wellness think tank Raison d'Etre (RDE) has identified five key wellness trends for spas, hotels and lifestyle operators to look out for in 2019.

According to RDE, 2019 will see a return to more basic ideas of nature and crafting, with consumers taking a more dynamic approach to their own happiness, and opting for real-life experiences and connections.

This need for 'In Real Life' (IRL) connection is expected to have a significant impact on spa design, with more space being dedicated to communal areas. Additionally, RDE anticipates that this will spark the discussion on the democratisation of wellness and wellbeing, making it available to everyone, not just those who can afford it.

An increase in environmental awareness has driven a trend for 'Back to Basics' travel, indicating that more people are looking to experience life on a personal, rather than global scale. This poses a challenge for the industry to provide authentic experiences and create environments that encourage relationships with the self, others and nature.

2019 will see a step away from the mindfulness movement to be replaced by kindness. For the industry, this means placing an emphasis on staff care, as well as making a conscious effort to show kindness to others, ourselves and the environment.

Additionally a resurgence in arts and handicrafts will see spas offering more creative workshops, such as Knit & Spa groups, or sessions where guests can learn about and create their own products.

Finally, the awareness surrounding mental health is only set to get more prevalent this year and will foster a shift towards emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as physical. The spa and wellness industry can cater to these changes by teaching clients about both their physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as offering spaces where these issues can be addressed.

Anna-Cari Gund, MD of Raison d'Etre, said: "Our team is spread across the globe, so we have a finger on the pulse of consumer behaviour in different countries. This allows us to see patterns and interact and compare different emerging trends."