Spafinder Wellness 365 has announced the first ever awards programme totally dedicated to spas, hotels, resorts and retreats offering wellness experiences.

The annual Wellness Travel Awards will be given to top properties worldwide in numerous special categories, such as “Best for Getting Fit” and “Best New Wellness Travel Property.”

Global wellness tourism has been identified as a growing trend in the industry and already represents one in every seven tourism dollars, with the wider economic impact of global wellness tourism estimated at US$1.3tn (€940bn £768bn) a year.

By 2017, the tourism wellness market itself is expected to be worth US$678.5bn (€490bn £401bn) – reflecting nearly 50 per cent more growth than global tourism overall.

“People are redefining what they want when on vacation or travelling for business,” said Spafinder Wellness 365 chief brand officer Mia Kyricos. “Our research shows they are clearly looking for transformative experiences and environments that leave them healthier when they check out than when they checked in.”

Kyricos noted there is a vastly expanded map of travel destinations, from Chile to Cambodia, and choosing a property that offers healthier options is more complicated than simply booking a room. “Our goal is to create new resources, such as the Wellness Travel Awards, that help people make the best choices to feel good and live well every day – especially when traveling.”

Winners will be decided by a global panel comprised of 26 spa and wellness industry journalists and experts, who will nominate top candidates in each category. After the nominees are aggregated, Wellness Travel Award nominees will be announced via the Spafinder website and other media outlets, with consumers invited to cast their votes for the final winners.