Sleep tourism is booming – MK

Going on vacation might seem like a rather unconventional way to improve your sleep habits.

But sleep tourism has been gaining popularity in recent years, writes CNN. And there are more and more sleep-oriented places in hotels and resorts around the world.

Since the pandemic, interest has skyrocketed, with a number of major institutions focusing on those suffering from sleep deprivation.

Over the past 12 months, Park Hyatt New York has opened a 900-square-foot Bryte Restorative Sleep Suite filled with sleep-enhancing amenities, and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts recently launched a retreat collection called Alchemy of Sleep, which is designed to “promote rest.”

Zedwell, London’s first sleep-focused hotel with innovative soundproofing rooms, opened in early 2020, while Swedish bed manufacturer Hastens opened the world’s first 15-room Hästens Sleep Spa boutique hotel in the Portuguese city of Coimbra. So why has sleep suddenly become such a big deal in the travel industry?

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, sleep researcher and co-author of Sleep for Success! believes this shift has been long overdue, especially for hotels.

“When it comes down to it, travelers book hotels to stay overnight,” she says. CNN Travelbefore pointing out that in the past the hotel industry has mostly focused on things that actually distract from sleep.

“People often associate travel with new foods, attractions, and other activities through sleep,” she adds.

“Now, I think there has just been a huge seismic shift in our collective consciousness and priorities for health and wellness,” she said.

The global pandemic seems to have played a huge role in this. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that 40% of the more than 2,500 adults who took part reported worsening sleep quality since the start of the pandemic.