Healthy holidays where you can pack the kids (and the grandparents)!
Healthy holidays where you can pack the kids (and the grandparents)!
How good would it be to take your family on a holiday where organic food was a given, and family yoga and fitness classes were the norm? With wellness tourism considered the fastest growing segment in travel, when it comes to motivating kids to get outside and eat healthy on vacation, the bar is being raised.
FAMILY TRAVEL
The stats are in and they confirm what many resort operators have already tuned into – that family travel is on the rise. According to the Family Travel Association (FTA), it accounts for a third of all leisure trips in the tourism industry. And in the 2016 Virtuoso Luxe Report, multigenerational and family travel were listed among the top five travel trends.
“In conversations with developers and owners we are increasingly asked to include services for children, especially considering the increase in childhood obesity and diabetes,” says Joy Menzies, managing director of DSM Wellness Management. “We recognise that if children are taught healthy habits early, this has huge benefits for their adult years.”
HEALTHY FOOD, HEALTHY KIDS
As more families opt for health it makes sense they want to continue during travel, and a big part of this is nutritious meals. Six Senses recently introduced retreats and yoga for teenagers with organic food and cooking classes as a brand-wide staple.
Executive Chef Martin Davies at Six Senses Lamuu in the Maldives says, “We have been growing our own organic produce since the resort opening.” He says they aim to draw attention to healthier cuisine for kids. “Children are also welcome to join our family cooking classes where they can learn how these fresh ingredients are used, and their health benefits.”
SPA AND YOGA
While mother and daughter and father and son spa treatments are becoming the norm, a host of brands are introducing more creative family experiences.
Some examples are the Family Hammam Indulgence at ESPA at Resorts World Sentosa Singapore; Father and Son Thai Shiatsu and Junior Shiatsu at Amanyara Turks and Caicos. Alternatively, why not hang upside down with your family during Family Anti-Gravity Yoga? Recently introduced at Four Seasons Resorts Bali, it’s a fun way to introduce the family to this wholesome modality.
Families can learn how to grow an organic garden, yoga and meditation at Play Viva resort Mexico. This boutique resort also offers an excursion where guests can visit a local family living off-the-grid growing cocoa and coffee, tour their farm and join them for breakfast.
WHOLESOME RETREATS
While most retreats have a no-kids policy, the recently opened Amatara Wellness Resort in Thailand deserves mention for positioning itself as a wellness sanctuary where little ones are welcome. The place is dedicated to family health with wellness cuisine and family massages on offer. And The Farm in Philippines has always offered healthy vacations for the whole clan.
Marking Communications Manager Samantha Manuel says, “Having positive relationships within the family is integral to well-being.”
GROUP ACTIVITIES
With childhood obesity on the rise then little wonder Family Health Camp at the Pritikin Longevity Center is now in its 15th year. The week comprises kid-friendly nutrition and cooking classes facilitated by qualified physicians and health experts. Alternatively, Family Week at the Ranch La Puerta Mexico consists of family hiking, singalongs, drumming, harvesting from the on-site garden, cooking classes and family yoga.
“Family Weeks solve the issue of mixing adults with kids,” says Menzies, adding that they also solve the challenge for resorts needing to introduce permanent kids facilities and child-experienced practitioners that may make it difficult for resorts to get their return on investment.
“At the Atmantan Resort in India, for instance, we cater to parents and children aged between six and 14 during the Indian long holidays,” she says. Activities include family hiking, cooking classes, yoga and meditation.
KIDS CLUBS WITH A WELLNESS TWIST
The good news is that when parents need downtime they can now leave their children and teenagers at kids club with the reassurance they are being engaged in healthy activities.
A perfect example is the Free Range Kids Club at The Komune Resort Bali, which is all about bike tracks, flying foxes, skate ramps, veggie patches and farm animals, as well as a pavilion for kids to perform concerts for their parents.
Co-founder Tony Cannon says, “As a parent I’ve never felt comfortable offloading my kids in hotel kids clubs where, in a lot of cases, they play inside on iPads, Playstations and watch TV. We wanted an alternative to kids sitting inside.”
Parents are welcome to hang with their kids at Chris and Charly’s Chocolate Factory over at Nihiwatu Resort Sumba Island, making chocolate together from real cocoa, and Chocolate Wizards are on standby to babysit. Recently Nihiwatu unveiled the Mamole Tree House, adding a touch of fun into the accommodation.
LOOKING FORWARD
The harsh reality is that kids are increasingly sensitive to pesticides, chemicals and pollution, which is why allergy-free rooms have become more popular.
Vinny Lobdell, president of Pure Global says, “Many child-friendly hotels such as Hard Rock Hotels are introducing ‘pure’ rooms that feature hypoallergenic bedding, medical grade air purifiers, purified water in the showers, which are cleaned with natural solutions – all to create a safe sanctuary for the family.”
