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.
