Did you know some people plan trips focused on getting a better night’s sleep?
Sleep tourism has been growing in popularity for a number of years, with an increasing amount of sleep-focused stays popping up in hotels and resorts across the world.
Think pillow menus to ensure you have the most comfortable night based on your favoured sleep position, rooms specifically designed to block out all outside noise so you can focus on rest, and recorded sleep meditations available to listen to as you doze off.
Although the idea is not totally new, industry experts are observing a greater interest on the part of tourists in engaging in activities and treatments that promote restful sleep.
Why has this trend taken off in the past few years? Sleep researcher Dr. Rebecca Robbins told CNN Travel, “People often associate travel with decadent meals, extending their bed times, the attractions and the things you do while you’re traveling, really almost at the cost of sleep. Now, I think there’s just been a huge seismic shift in our collective awareness and prioritisation on wellness and well-being.”
Now, Dr. Robbins believes this has been importantly influenced by, and sky-rocketed since, the worldwide pandemic.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 40% of 2,562 participants said that their sleep quality has declined since the pandemic’s beginning.
The ability to get a decent night’s sleep seems to be getting harder to accomplish, especially in recent years. Approximately 35% of individuals report getting less than 7 hours of sleep in a normal 24-hour period [source: sleepfoundation.org], and 50 to 70 million US adults now suffer from a sleep problem [source: National Institutes of Health], with insomnia being the most prevalent.
Hypnotherapist, meditation and holistic coach Malminder Gill has also noticed a change in attitudes towards sleep.
“Everything seems to be moving towards longevity, and I think that has really fueled things,” Gill tells CNN Travel. “Because it’s no great surprise that sleep is an important aspect of our lives. Lack of sleep can cause lots of different issues in the body, and for your mental health.
“So, anxiety, depression, low mood, mood swings – all sorts of things, on top of the tiredness.”
Gill has partnered with the Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel in London, to create a special service catered to guests with sleep issues called the Sleep Concierge.
The service includes a sleep-inducing meditation recording, a pillow menu with options that cater to guests who may prefer to sleep on their back or side, the option of a weighted blanket, a bedtime tea developed specifically for the service, and a scented pillow mist.
In the end, it’s all about guest experience; how do you enhance their stay – and what can they gain from it?
