A guide for hotels to tap the millennial market

by Manoj K Mohanty | Sep 7, 2021

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.

Understanding the wants of millennials is a question that every hotelier has in the modern days as millennial travellers take over the hospitality market.

Millennials are the work enthusiasts, the passionate shoppers, and the fun-loving partygoers. But most importantly, they are the tech-savvy generation. They are independent and well connected with the world with a passion for exploring.

Catering to millennial travel trends

Millennial travel trends are diverse. Hoteliers have endless opporto provide a perfect experience for them due to this variety of trends.

Millennials and social media

The world is in the era of likes and reviews, and millennials love to share everything. Studies show that 56% of millennials like to post a photo or video of their holiday on a social network during their trip. These posts could be highly influential for potential guests.

Promoting the hotel and its scenic views through posts, with a catchy caption and a trending hashtag would encourage millennials to visit the property. Hoteliers can offer Instagram-worthy backdrops for photos within the hotel property. Hoteliers can also promote offers and discounts through various social media platforms incorporating keyword optimisation techniques to gain more traction.

Millennials’ love for local cuisines

Millennials are keen on learning about the traditions and local cuisines of the location they are travelling to. Studies show that 60% of millennial travellers feel that an authentic culture is the most important part of a travel experience.

Millennials want hoteliers to be creative and focus on embracing the local culture and cuisine of the location. Hotel chefs should be encouraged to find new blends, utilizing various ingredients while keeping the food fresh. Hoteliers can also upload videos and photos of the food unique to the culture of their locality while being extra attentive to appearance and plating.

Millennials and online reviews

Online reviews are extremely popular among millennials, with 86% of millennial travellers refusing to book a place before reading the reviews. Millennials tend to check the reviews of as many platforms as possible before booking a hotel.

Being timely is key when maintaining a positive online reputation. Hoteliers should reply to reviews within 72 hours and prioritise negative reviews. Hoteliers can begin with a simple ‘thank you’ irrespective of it being a negative or positive review. This will reflect the hotel’s values and professionalism. Apologising and reassuring an unsatisfied customer by suggesting a few potential solutions or a plan of action in resolving the issue will lead guests to consider giving a second chance. Directly addressing the issues of unsatisfied customers would create an impression of the hotel being in control of the situation. This will reassure potential bookers and motivate them to complete their reservations.

Millennials need quick responses

Millennials expect hotels and their services to be available at all times. Whether it is at the time of booking, checking in, or ordering room service, hotels should respond to their requests quickly and efficiently.

Since millennials are big on last-minute travel, hotels should adapt to be spontaneous. They detest staying in lines in the reception during booking and want the hotel services to be efficient. The need for speed and efficiency is one reason for millennials to prefer mobile services. Hotels should incorporate necessary software to accommodate these mobile needs of millennials.

IDS’ FX Mobile Check-in is a software aimed at eliminating waiting time in the reception at arrival. Millennial guests will no longer need to queue for check-in and can instead complete the process on the way to their rooms.

FX GeM by IDS is another innovative solution that can assist hoteliers in creating a seamless and contactless check-in and check-out procedure. Its contactless payment gateway will create a positive impression about the hotel among millennials who are not fans of carrying bulky wallets.

IDS’ FX Roomate is an in-room tablet solution that can bring hotel services and amenities to the fingertips of every millennial guest. This solution allows guests to request and schedule housekeeping, dining, and other room services with a simple click of a button, making service requests simpler and faster.

Catering to the needs of millennials is not complicated. All that is needed for hoteliers to effectively incorporate millennial trends is proper understanding and innovative application of technology.


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