Why is Abu Dhabi becoming a top destination for wellness travellers? 

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is situated off the mainland on an island in the Arabian Gulf. This exciting metropolis offers a mix of authentic sites with modern marvels like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi, attracting scores of visitors. Complementing these are the wellness facilities that are experiencing a surge in demand.  Discover why this city is becoming so popular for wellness with some visitors travelling especially for these treatments.

Abu Dhabi is on a roll

Visit Abu Dhabi and you can witness the development going on everywhere with high-rises coming up. The capital of the UAE is investing heavily in development including infrastructure, education, human capital and tourism. These developments and advancements will provide a further boost to the hospitality industry and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s current position as a niche wellness provider. 

This is an important element for Abu Dhabi. According to the Global Wellness Institute, Wellness Tourism is the fastest-growing sector in the Global Tourism Industry.

Considered one of the best things to do in Abu Dhabi, a wellness treatment here can constitute a serene desert experience or a beach experience which is followed by an ancient therapeutic ritual that restores, renews and rejuvenates.

Wellness tourism is evolving

The trends of wellness tourism are evolving, and global travellers are selective. Post-COVID-19 pandemic they simply wanted to get away and explore the world. However, they also became more conscious of their physical and mental health and well-being.

This important criterion has caught the attention of global wellness providers with huge investments being made into this growing sector. The strategic location of Abu Dhabi, its sound infrastructure and the present standing for wellness tourism make it a step ahead of other nations in the Middle East.

Ancient Wellness and Spa Practices in UAE

With a long history of therapeutic powers that has come down from generation to generation, the Arabian Gulf practices full-body steam rituals that are sought after by visitors. Using scented oils made from different ingredients that were traded on the ancient spice routes such as turmeric and cinnamon, one of the most popular rituals is the Hammam ritual. It is named after the custom-built Turkish or Moroccan bathhouses known as hammams. The body is rubbed with the fine oil which has a subtle fragrance of local flowers before being exposed to the rejuvenating steam of the hammam chamber. This procedure is still used widely at many wellness and spa facilities in Abu Dhabi such as Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat.

Wellness Services

The Middle East has always had a strong focus on traditional spa and wellness treatments with many of the hotels and resorts having these facilities and making a considerable contribution to the total revenue earned in the hospitality sector. Abu Dhabi has been doing extremely well in this sphere.

As regular travellers are more aware and concerned about their wellbeing the spa and wellness services, which were considered and classified as luxury services earlier, have now become a part of daily life like work, leisure, travel etc. Hence, they seek convenient and reputable destinations that offer these services as they commence their travel plans.

Other attributes of Abu Dhabi

Several other factors provide an edge to Abu Dhabi as a preferred Destination as its wellness facilities are complemented by,

Geography – Abu Dhabi is a hub for travellers from the Americas, Africa and Europe as well as Asia. While being a part of the Arabian Nations and respecting the Islamic culture, Abu Dhabi provides a cosmopolitan environment for visitors. 

Attractions – Many world-class attractions are available in Abu Dhabi, which makes it a suitable destination for the whole family.

Rich Culture & Heritage – These provide more awareness to visitors while creating an appreciation towards this destination.

Desert – Many travellers enjoy a desert experience (safari) when visiting the capital of UAE.