Glamping and eco-resorts: Luxury travel with responsibility   

by Jacob K I | Jan 15, 2025

The wellness and health tourism market is undergoing rapid transformation, with the continuous integration of digital and intelligent technologies into everyday guest experiences. The global spa and wellness hospitality market has evolved, going from a luxury add-on into a core pillar of the wellness economy and a key revenue driver for modern hospitality properties.

While technology in wellness is not unheard of, the accelerating tech adoption rate is reshaping the industry. From AI-powered personalisation to smart spa systems and data-driven guest experiences, innovation is elevating traditional wellness offerings into more sophisticated, high-end, and luxurious experiences. Wellness hospitality is no longer just about relaxation. It is becoming a more connected, tech-enabled journey that redefines modern well-being and guest expectations.

Technology vs tranquillity: Finding the right balance

At the same time, many hoteliers and wellness travellers continue to value environments that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and holistic health without the visible presence of technology. Today's guests increasingly seek personalised experiences while maintaining a sense of calm, privacy, and digital disconnection during their wellness journey.

In this article, we explore how technology and artificial intelligence can play a vital role behind the scenes through carefully designed guest-facing solutions without disrupting the wellness experience. By operating seamlessly in the background, these technologies enable hospitality providers to deliver highly personalised services, optimise operations, anticipate guest needs, and enhance overall well-being, while preserving the tranquil, technology-free atmosphere that wellness travelers expect.

The potential in wellness tourism

Resort market icon Wellness real estate is growing rapidly, with a projected value of $1.8 trillion by 2030.
(Global Wellness Institute)
Resort market icon The wellness tourism market alone is expected to grow from $830.2 billion in 2023 to over $1.3 trillion by 2028.
(Global Wellness Institute)
Resort market icon A 2025 report estimates that digital wellness services and technologies already account for approximately 20–25% of the $6.5 trillion global wellness economy.
(Gitnux)
Resort market icon Around 40% of regular exercisers now use fitness trackers or smartwatches to monitor steps, heart rate, and sleep.
(European Alliance for Innovation)

What’s driving the rapid digital shift in wellness hospitality

Wellness—like other hospitality sectors such as F&B—has traditionally relied on a highly hands-on, in-person approach, with guests preferring familiar, low-tech experiences. So what is driving the rapid shift toward wellness technology today?

For a multi-location wellness brand, the guest journey is rarely linear. With the rise of the mobile-first economy, Gen Z market dominance, and increasingly complex wellness expectations, legacy systems and processes are struggling to keep up. Siloed reservations, manual operations, limited resource visibility, and one-size-fits-all offerings no longer meet evolving demand.

How technology is transforming wellness tourism

Modern wellness and health tourism is data-driven, focusing on thoughtfully curated journeys shaped by technology.  From wearable devices to AI-powered wellness assessments, smart systems are redefining how travellers experience care, recovery, and relaxation.

Personalised wellness journeys

Over 50% of wellness hotel guests prefer personalised wellness programmes based on fitness and health data.

Solutions such as IDS Next’s FX Spa enable your wellness resort to seamlessly manage comprehensive guest profiles, capturing and analysing data from reservations, past service preferences, and medical or Ayurvedic practitioner prescriptions, and AI to identify behavioural patterns and automatically suggest optimal, custom wellness services.

Access to guest data enables properties to design customised programmes that can immediately hook wellness lovers. Think: yoga, mindful meditation, hydrotherapy, traditional treatments, nutrition plans, and spa treatments aligned with individual goals such as stress relief, fitness improvement, or recovery.

This level of personalisation makes your guests feel seen, significantly improving satisfaction and increasing repeat visits.

Remote monitoring and safe recovery

Wearable devices and remote monitoring tools are especially valuable in medical and rehabilitative wellness tourism. Guests can track vital signs, sleep quality, and activity levels, while practitioners receive real-time alerts when intervention may be needed.

Remote monitoring and wearables particularly benefit international patients, individuals with mobility challenges, and younger guests (under 50) who prefer wellness experiences enhanced by technology. With devices such as wearable trackers, mobile engagement apps, and health platforms, your wellness centre can provide instant access, continuous support, and greater autonomy for guests.

Digital booking, guidance, and feedback

Mobile apps and digital platforms make wellness tourism significantly smoother, from booking holistic retreats to navigating on-site experiences. This allows your guests to reserve spa sessions, explore wellness menus, share preferences, and receive data-driven personalised recommendations through integrated apps.

Post-stay, digital feedback systems allow you to refine your offerings. Whether you're a wellness retreat or an independent property, this level of connection can turn guest journeys into a continuous improvement cycle that enhances service quality and experience design.

Automated services, smart rooms, immersive environments

A recent survey of over 1,770 wellness travellers found that nearly half are open to automated spa services, such as massage robots and smart hydro jets. And more than 70% prefer on-site experiences tailored to their personal interests.

In response, many resorts are already adopting smart technologies that enhance not just services, but the entire environment. Smart lighting, climate control, and personalised soundscapes can be adjusted to promote relaxation, improved sleep, and deeper meditation. Some properties now integrate circadian rhythm lighting systems and air-quality sensors to naturally support guests’ physical and mental well-being.

Transparency, trust, and long-term engagement

Technology also plays a crucial role in building trust. Guests can access therapist credentials, certifications, and anonymised success stories online, helping them make more informed and confident decisions.

Post-trip, wellness apps and follow-up programmes support guests in maintaining their progress at home, transforming a short stay into a sustained, long-term wellness lifestyle while encouraging repeat visits.

Is your spa ready for the modern guest? Explore how IDS Next solutions can improve your operations. Book a demo today..

Wellness technology is amplifying service delivery across the industry

By combining care, culture, and connectivity, tech-enabled wellness destinations create experiences that are not only relaxing but truly transformative.

Whether you are operating a spa retreat, a medical wellness resort, or a holistic wellness centre, integrating smart technology can turn your property into a modern sanctuary for the health-conscious traveller.

Nandika Udupihilla | IDS NEXT

Author

Nandika Udupihilla

Vice President & Country Head, Indian Ocean – Sales

Nandika is responsible for the Sales and Operations of the Indian Ocean Region, looking after Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius. His years of expertise in IT and strategic management have helped contribute to streamlining the technological needs of IDS Next's global clients.

Travel experiences in recent years have been more than checking a bucket list. Instead, purposeful travel and sustainability have led to a surge of travel experiences defined by meaningful connections with people and the planet. With this, luxury travel is embracing sustainability, with eco-resorts and glamping leading the way.

Glamping—decoding the name

What is glamping? A blend of “glamorous” and “camping,” glamping refers to experiences that have both nature and luxury. It is a type of immersive travel that connects guests to a destination’s culture, history, wildlife, and environment, all while enjoying the comforts of high-end accommodations.

The allure behind glamping

There are unique features of glamping experiences that make it special to travellers.

1. Unique accommodations

Glamping offers a range of outdoor lodging. Unlike the usual camping experiences with tents, glamping adds a layer of sophistication to accommodation options. This means staying in unique accommodation types such as luxury tents, treehouses, and eco-lodges, that merge nature with comfort.

2. Modern amenities

The very premise of glamping is to add glamour to camping experiences. Many glamping sites, therefore, feature amenities that are otherwise rare in adventures in the heart of nature; electricity, Wi-Fi, heating, air-conditioning, and even hot tubs.

3. Scenic locations

Glamping and eco-resorts often focus on the environment and are set in picturesque natural spots like forests, beaches, or mountains. This allows the guests to disconnect from the outside world and give them a chance to connect with nature.

4. Eco-friendly practices

In true eco-tourism fashion, glamping sites often prioritise sustainability. These properties are concerned about the environment and actively take steps to minimise their environmental footprint. As such, they prioritise eco-friendly materials and renewable energy.

Preparing for glamping crowds

To provide the exact type of experience glampers and eco-travellers are looking for, there are several strategies resorts can try.

1. Offering flexibility and freedom

Most modern glamping sites combine digital technology, such as smart solutions, with their property. Modern technology allows employees to offer full freedom and flexibility to the guests so that the latter can truly disconnect while enjoying unique properties that highlight the natural surroundings. Data for personalisation, automated technology, and attribute-based offerings will allow guests to experience convenience and control of their stays.

2. Contactless journeys with minimal interaction

Glamping guests prefer to spend their stays disconnected from the rest of the world and connecting with nature. Contactless and self-servicing solutions can offer them options for social distancing, freedom with a sense of oneness with nature and stress-free holidays. For travellers looking for solitude and the perfect getaway holiday, minimal interaction journeys will be an enticing offer.

3. Environmental consciousness

Green technology, ESG protocols, and SDG compliance play a huge role in minimising the environmental footprints of glamping. Energy-efficient systems such as solar panels, smart heating and cooling systems, water conservation mechanisms, inventory, and waste management are some steps that allow guests to enjoy glamping without harming the environment.

4. Optimised property management

Technology provides a flexible foundation for glamping businesses to grow and evolve. A cloud-based PMS allows glamping operators to centralise bookings, customer data, and property management tasks. Meanwhile integrated booking platforms enable dynamic price settings, analytics tools provide actionable data, and dedicated mobile apps allow businesses to scale efficiently.

5. Streamlined communications

In glamping, where properties may span vast, remote areas, clear and timely communication is essential. Technology is often the solution that bridges the gap of connectivity, and it is no surprise that it will help glampers, too. Think of guest messaging platforms, high-quality Wi-Fi, reliable internet connectivity, on-premises technology, automated notifications with IoT-enabled systems, and voice-controlled assistants.

Book a Demo Today to discover how IDS Next's innovative solutions can optimise your resort.

Glamping, the modern travel experience in style

Glamping, like most travel trends that are predicted for the coming year, will continue to rise. It is predicted to grow with a CAGR of 8.7% from 2024 to 2030. The perfect blend of adventure and luxury that inspires a deep connection to the natural world will attract many travellers, particularly those looking for luxurious holidays and eco-friendly travel options. The responsibility of the industry remains; to offer the best of the eco-experiences to guests without disrupting the eco-systems itself. It is not just about staying in nature—rather it is about coexisting with it in style!

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