The number of tourists venturing to hotel/resort spas within China is forecast to double from 7.5 million in 2018 to 14.8 million by 2022, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Tourism Destination Market Insight: China – Analysis of source markets, infrastructure and attractions and risks and opportunities’, states that both hotel/resort and destination spas are forecast to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 18% between 2018 and 2022 while medical tourism is set to increase at a CAGR of 4.4% during the same period.

Johanna Bonhill-Smith, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, says: “As travelers are now more aware of their social-well-being, the health and wellness industry is booming. Though hotel/resort spas hold the most substantial growth, destination spas and medical tourism will also see a huge upswing.”

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Hospitality construction projects feature the ‘pioneers’ of the health and wellness industry such as the Six Senses, Hyatt and Alibaba.

Having been singled out in the past as one of the most polluted destinations, China, which is the world’s most populous country, now look to aid socio-economic development throughout the nation.

As a result, the Government launched ‘Healthy China 2030’ initiative in 2016 to improve public healthcare, infrastructure, environment management, the medical industry and drug safety.

While medical tourism is growing at a minimal rate in comparison to hotel/resorts and destination spas, the initiative will continue to assist in developing the quality of healthcare throughout China.

Previously, Chinese medical tourists ventured to outbound destinations due to lack of trust in healthcare within the country. As the effects begin to take place, this year alone inbound medical tourists are set to grow by 5% to reach 144,000 by the end of 2019.

Bonhill-Smith concludes: “Within Chinese culture, health and wellness has always been at the center through activities, gastronomy and different experiences. Therefore, it is not surprising that the industry will continue to expand.”