Use your vacation time to rest and rejuvenate.
July 19, 2024
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Sleep Tourism is a Growing Travel Trend | Take a break and rejuvenate.
Sleep tourism is becoming more and more popular. Gone are the days of whirlwind European trips and bucket list holidays, replaced by holidays where rest and rejuvenation are key – and for many people, that means a good night’s sleep.
A recent survey of 1,095 Americans by travel company Carl Friedrich found that more than 94% of participants said they wanted to take part in slow travel in the future, choosing peace and rest over adventure.
“The days of traveling and coming home exhausted are over,” Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist at the Harvard School of Sleep Medicine, told Fortune. “The idea that travel can restore you, allow you to learn things cognitively, experience new things, and also get the physical and mental rest you need on your trip so that you can come home exhausted, is a really exciting proposition.”
The Science of Sleep
According to ABC News, many people struggle with getting a good night’s sleep: More than one in three Americans are sleep-deprived, not getting the seven hours or so recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I’ve said for a while that sleep is a societal problem in this country,” said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, chief medical correspondent for ABC News. “We think of sleep as a luxury, but it’s actually a medical necessity.”
Lack of sleep can lead to a variety of chronic physical and mental health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, anxiety and depression, so it’s no wonder you want to de-stress and get a good night’s sleep while on vacation.
“[Hotel] “More and more guests are placing a premium on sleep while traveling and getting a good night’s sleep while on the road,” Robbins told Fortune.
Sleeping spots
While many hotels offer sleep amenities like masks, blackout curtains, and comfy pillows, sleep tourism is taking it a step further, according to Fortune magazine. Some Hilton hotels now offer “power down” services, including temperature-controlled mattresses and dimmed lighting settings, according to Amanda Al-Masri, vice president of wellness at Hilton.
“Travellers engaged in sleep tourism are looking to go a step further and seek unique experiences, amenities and environments that will help them achieve their sleep and relaxation goals,” Al Masri said.
Hilton hotel Rome Cavalieri offers guests a pillow menu, while the Conrad Bali offers a service called the “SWAY” experience, where guests take part in a sleep therapy session while suspended in a cocoon-like hammock.
Other sleep tourism hotels include the Park Hyatt New York, which offers restorative sleep suites with AI-powered smart beds that adjust pressure points on the mattress, essential oil diffusers and sleep-related books to read to improve the quality of your sleep.
For those looking for a sleep-focused wellness getaway, the Six Senses chain with locations around the world offers guests curated sleep programs that include sleep meditations, sleep trackers and guidance from sleep doctors.
A sleep holiday might be just what the doctor prescribed, provided travelers put the sleep techniques they learn to good use when they return home.
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Bonnie has dedicated her life to promoting social justice and enjoys writing about women’s empowerment, child advocacy, innovation in education, and environmental and sustainability advocacy.
