Public authorities, governments, lend support to Global Wellness Day 2016
Plans are already underway for next year’s Global Wellness Day on June 11, 2016, with organisers reporting that participation across the world is increasing for next year.
The event, a not-for-profit day of wellness activities founded by Belgin Aksoy of Aksoy Hotel Group and owner of destination spa Richmond Nua, has the support of more than 500 properties in 73 countries, as well as the backing of brands within the wellness industry, and increasingly – support from elected government officials.
Aksoy said the event reached an estimated 100 million people across the world in 2015, with a visibility value of US$7m (€6.5m, £4.6m). For 2016, organisers will focus on spreading Global Wellness Day celebrations throughout countries, rather than focusing on one event location.
"For example, in Istanbul we had an open day in a public park with the attendance of more than 6,000 people," said Aksoy. "We will now work on expanding all over Turkey to be able to touch as many people as possible. Convincing public authorities and governments will help us to expand even faster."
For instance, in Thailand, Global Wellness Day is being supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, and Thai Spa Association, reports Aksoy, and the Aruba Tourism Association is taking the lead in GWD 2016 for all spas on Aruba.
Jean-Guy de Gabriac, international co-ordinator of Global Wellness Day, recently won the support of France’s National Association of Elected Representatives of Touristic Territories (ANETT), which represents 920 mayors in touristic cities.
“When Jean-Guy de Gabriac presented us the concept of Global Wellness Day, we saw a wonderful opportunity to federate wellness activities of hundreds of associations and sports clubs through the co-ordination of their mayors,” said Géraldine Leduc, national manager of ANETT.
Leduc and de Gabriac will also present Global Wellness Day during a commission session at the French National Assembly on 15 December.
“This is a huge step forward,” said de Gabriac.
Additionally, Cyprus has joined in the Global Wellness Day efforts “on a grand scale,” said local Global Wellness Day ambassador George Tavelis.
“All the spas on the island will be taking part, with the support of all the local authorities in all towns,” he continued.
The towns of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa will each host a “mega event” in their respective city centres, which will be led by the local mayor.
And in the US, Imperial Beach, California mayor Serge Dedina is lending his support to the event again in 2016. Dedina is also a surfer, biker, author and co-founder of Wildcoast, an environmental non-profit working to save coastlines in Southern California and Mexico.
“He jumped right in and gave his full support, providing staff and department directors to offer assistance,” said Kim Marshall, US Global Wellness Day ambassador.
Speaking at Piscina & Wellness Barcelona last month, de Gabriac said participation in Global Wellness Day can take many forms, including guided relaxation, nutrition talks, cooking workshops, tea ceremonies, physical fitness activities or creative workshops.
“We’re sharing the sensations of what wellness truly is,” he said.
Aksoy said she is thrilled to watch how the event is growing, and how people from all over the world are lending their support.
"Until the day wellness becomes mandatory, Global Wellness Day will be the ultimate day to remind us about what a beautiful gift we're born with and how we can cherish our bodies, minds and souls," she said.
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
Designed to restore neglected land and renew the identity of Iraq’s capital city, Baghdad Sustainable Forests promises a new way of living surrounded by nature. Gensler’s Ian Mulcahay tells us why he thinks the project could become a model for the repair and enhancement of urban centres
