Latest
issue
GET ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital edition of Attractions Management and the FREE weekly Attractions Management ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed. I've already subscribed.
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
NEWS
GWD one of only 15 Instagram accounts followed by Harry & Meghan
POSTED 07 Aug 2019 . BY Jane Kitchen
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
UK’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have announced the 15 Instagram accounts that they’re following, after they unfollowed everyone and requested people to recommend worthy causes for them to follow.

The royal couple choose 15 worthy charities each month to follow, creating publicity for those causes and sharing their missions with their 9.3 million Instagram followers.

Among the 15 causes selected this month: Global Wellness Day, the nonprofit founded by Belgin Aksoy that offers a range of free health and wellness activities to the public, and which many spas across the world are involved in.

“We are still doing the happy dance,” said Aksoy. “I was hoping so much for this. It’s just amazing to see that all the voluntary work and sleepless nights of the Global Wellness Day family towards our global shared dream of ‘living well’ has also been crowned by the British Royal Family. We look up to their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for using their platform to shoutout for inspiring organisations and initiatives that work for the things that matter.”

Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual. Global Wellness Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year with free wellness activities across the globe and the idea that “one day you can change your whole life”.

In 2019, the event reached more than 7,000 locations in 150+ countries across six continents – resulting in millions of people getting involved.

In the eight years since its inception, the annual celebration of wellness has grown exponentially and this year saw the involvement of a host of high-profile celebrities, even before the Royals got involved.

These included Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King posting on social media how they were celebrating GWD by taking a morning hike with the dogs.

Aksoy’s dream of celebrating a day dedicated to wellness has now inspired an international network of more than 87 GWD Ambassadors, 25 Key Supporters and four Advisors to organise free wellness events around the globe.

New countries taking part in the event this year included the Cayman Islands, China, Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic.

“The beauty of GWD is that no matter where in the world it is celebrated, the aim is to always take the current wellness level of the community and enhance it with complimentary wellness activities," she said. "GWD events range from having lice cleaned from children’s hair in Myanmar 'No Man’s Land' to yoga with celebrity instructors on the Helipad of Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. GWD is inclusive, embracing and a fit for any community. That’s part of what makes it so magical.”

RELATED STORIES
  Healthy celebrations organised around the world for Global Wellness Day


Saturday, 8 June 2019 will mark the eighth annual Global Wellness Day (GWD), and thousands of locations across the world – including hotel/spa chains, fitness centres, yoga studios, associations, foundations, hospitals, schools and senior living centres, along with governments, businesses and celebrities – will be celebrating GWD with free, non- commercial, health and wellness activities for the public.
  GWD founder Belgin Aksoy appointed president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation


Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy has been appointed as the new president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation.
  Global Wellness Day 2018 to focus on kids’ wellness


Global Wellness Day – an international celebration offering a range of free health and wellness activities to the public – will be celebrated this year in more than 4,000 locations in 100 countries on 9 June.
  Global Wellness Day launches new project for kids


The nonprofit Global Wellness Day has launched a new project, GWD Kids, with an aim to provide breathing, mindfulness and self-love lessons to young children around the world.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
National Event Planning and Logistics Officer
English Heritage
Salary: £30,190 - £32,636pa + matched pension + benefits
Job location: Home-based with countrywide travel , United Kingdom
+ More jobs  

COMPANY PROFILES
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
LATEST ISSUES
+ View Magazine Archive

Attractions Management

2026 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 2


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2025 issue 1


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management

2024 issue 4


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Management News

06 Apr 2020 issue 153


View on turning pages
Download PDF
View archive
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription

Attractions Handbook

2019


View issue contents
View on turning pages
Download PDF
FREE digital subscription
Print subscription
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
GWD one of only 15 Instagram accounts followed by Harry & Meghan
POSTED 07 Aug 2019 . BY Jane Kitchen
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual
UK’s Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, have announced the 15 Instagram accounts that they’re following, after they unfollowed everyone and requested people to recommend worthy causes for them to follow.

The royal couple choose 15 worthy charities each month to follow, creating publicity for those causes and sharing their missions with their 9.3 million Instagram followers.

Among the 15 causes selected this month: Global Wellness Day, the nonprofit founded by Belgin Aksoy that offers a range of free health and wellness activities to the public, and which many spas across the world are involved in.

“We are still doing the happy dance,” said Aksoy. “I was hoping so much for this. It’s just amazing to see that all the voluntary work and sleepless nights of the Global Wellness Day family towards our global shared dream of ‘living well’ has also been crowned by the British Royal Family. We look up to their Royal Highness The Duke and Duchess of Sussex for using their platform to shoutout for inspiring organisations and initiatives that work for the things that matter.”

Aksoy founded Global Wellness Day in 2012, bringing her vision to the world that wellness is not a luxury but the inherent right of every individual. Global Wellness Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of June each year with free wellness activities across the globe and the idea that “one day you can change your whole life”.

In 2019, the event reached more than 7,000 locations in 150+ countries across six continents – resulting in millions of people getting involved.

In the eight years since its inception, the annual celebration of wellness has grown exponentially and this year saw the involvement of a host of high-profile celebrities, even before the Royals got involved.

These included Oprah Winfrey and her friend Gayle King posting on social media how they were celebrating GWD by taking a morning hike with the dogs.

Aksoy’s dream of celebrating a day dedicated to wellness has now inspired an international network of more than 87 GWD Ambassadors, 25 Key Supporters and four Advisors to organise free wellness events around the globe.

New countries taking part in the event this year included the Cayman Islands, China, Peru, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic.

“The beauty of GWD is that no matter where in the world it is celebrated, the aim is to always take the current wellness level of the community and enhance it with complimentary wellness activities," she said. "GWD events range from having lice cleaned from children’s hair in Myanmar 'No Man’s Land' to yoga with celebrity instructors on the Helipad of Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. GWD is inclusive, embracing and a fit for any community. That’s part of what makes it so magical.”

RELATED STORIES
Healthy celebrations organised around the world for Global Wellness Day


Saturday, 8 June 2019 will mark the eighth annual Global Wellness Day (GWD), and thousands of locations across the world – including hotel/spa chains, fitness centres, yoga studios, associations, foundations, hospitals, schools and senior living centres, along with governments, businesses and celebrities – will be celebrating GWD with free, non- commercial, health and wellness activities for the public.
GWD founder Belgin Aksoy appointed president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation


Global Wellness Day founder Belgin Aksoy has been appointed as the new president of the executive board of Turkish Heart Foundation.
Global Wellness Day 2018 to focus on kids’ wellness


Global Wellness Day – an international celebration offering a range of free health and wellness activities to the public – will be celebrated this year in more than 4,000 locations in 100 countries on 9 June.
Global Wellness Day launches new project for kids


The nonprofit Global Wellness Day has launched a new project, GWD Kids, with an aim to provide breathing, mindfulness and self-love lessons to young children around the world.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi- day destination.
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
Holovis

Holovis is a privately owned company established in 2004 by CEO Stuart Hetherington. [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS