DUBAI — EMIRATES Holidays, the tour operating arm of Emirates Airline and the Dubai Health Authority’s Health Tourism Council, collaborate on offering visitors a plethora of tailor-made health and wellness holidays in Dubai, on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market 2018.

The move aims to tap into the existing wellness market in Dubai in line with the growing demand for health and wellness tourism. Dubai has all the factors that make it a favorable wellness and tourism destination and the partnership will help provide a range of well-curated and bespoke travel packages.

In line with this, the strategic partnership is looking to attract potential tourists coming from the Kuwait, which represents a large segment of tourists traveling abroad for health and wellness purposes.

Emirates Holidays is teaming up with world-class spas, wellness centres and health facilities in Dubai, to create a unique destination travel experience for the health-conscious traveller.

Each wellness and health package includes return flights on Emirates; a three to four day stay at a hotel property renowned for its health and wellness facilities; a selection of spa and wellness treatments, including a health and wellness programme tailored to the client’s specific needs and daily meals.

As a start, Emirates Holidays is partnering two premier establishments to provide their health and wellness programmes - DNA Health at Madinat Jumeirah and Rayya Wellness Retreat at the Retreat Palm Dubai, M Gallery by Sofitel.

The health and wellness packages are being launched in association with Dubai Health Experience (DXH), a brand conceived by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to strengthen the medical facilities in Dubai and strengthen the position of Dubai on the world map of medical tourism.

Dr Layla Al Marzouqi, Director of Health Tourism Council at the DHA, said “Dubai is a favorable location for travelers, particularly from the neighboring GCC countries. Dubai offers world-class hospitality and healthcare services and our objective is to provide health tourists with a unique experience, the highest medical service standards using state-of-the-art technology accompanied by highly specialized and educated staff. The wellness sector in the Emirate offers excellence in service for travellers seeking wellness services along with several tourism options. We also plan to co-develop preventive health check-up holiday packages of various kinds for individuals, families and children in the future in collaboration with leading hospital and clinics in Dubai.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, global wellness tourism revenues grew from $494.1 billion in 2013 to $563.2 billion in 2015 – or 14%. This growth rate is more than twice as fast as overall tourism expenditures (6.9%).

“We are excited to launch the Health and Wellness Holidays to Dubai in partnership with the Dubai Health Authority. We see the health and wellness segment as a significant growth opportunity for Emirates Holidays and Dubai as a destination”, said Robin Parry, Vice President - Emirates Holidays.

“With the packages we’ve designed, our customers will enjoy travel on award winning Emirates, see the best of Dubai’s sights and improve their health and wellbeing. — SG