Holidays are an excellent way to unwind and reset, especially if you enjoy a siesta. One of the most recent travel trends of 2023, sleep tourism, is about making a good night’s sleep the main focus of your trip.
You told us in your 2023 annual survey that you like to relax when on holiday, with 57% 1 of respondents saying they wanted relaxation from their next trip.
So what is this trend, why are people trying it, and where can you give it a go?
What is sleep tourism?
If you want to try sleep tourism, you’ll need to avoid creating a busy itinerary and focus instead on relaxing and visiting a sleep retreat. This could involve staying in a hotel offering extras such as a choice of pillows, teas to help you sleep, or relaxing spa treatments.
A sleep retreat can also be a more involved experience, with a visit to a specialist resort, where you can enjoy attention from trained specialists over multiple days. As long as the main focus of your trip is to focus on quality sleep and rest, you’re on a sleep retreat.
What are the benefits of a good night’s sleep?
While the figure usually given for how much sleep a healthy adult should get is 8 hours a night, this does vary from person to person. However, the average person should get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. YouGov statistics show that only around 1 in 5 Brits (22%) get at least 8 hours of sleep daily. 18% of us have 6 hours or less, which is deemed unhealthy by some experts.
According to BUPA, getting enough quality sleep has a wide range of benefits, including;
- Better concentration and attention.
- Increased heart health.
- Lower stress levels.
- Better mental well-being.
- A stronger immune system.
Where are some of the best sleep retreats?
If you want to try a sleep resort, you may be wondering where the best places to go are. Luckily, we’ve already listed 3 of our favourite places to visit and catch some much-needed Z’s.
Portugal
Portugal offers some fantastic hotels focused on relaxation and sleep. The top choice in the area is the Six Senses, a chain of luxury hotels specialising in sleep retreats. Working with Michael J. Breus, PhD, a well-respected sleep expert, they offer a range of treatments for visitors.
Mauritius
Many of us would find this stunning island in the Indian Ocean relaxing even without staying at a sleep resort. Mauritius is an easy, relaxing place with warm blue seas and white coral beaches. At the Shanti Maurice, you’ll also benefit from plenty of specialist treatments, including Magnesium sleep therapy and Tibetan Sound massage.
Italy
While the hustle and bustle of an Italian city may not be the most relaxing place to visit, the countryside is entirely different. Especially around Lake Garda, where you can visit the Lefay Resort & Spa. Enjoy guided tours and unique treatments on their five-night sleep programme.
No matter where you head for your relaxing getaway, remember your travel insurance, and relax that little bit more, knowing you’ve got excellent protection for your holiday.
1 – InsureandGo Annual Survey 2023 – 4,300 responses