Did you know that in 2012, global wellness tourism generated $438.6 billion in expenditures, created 11.7 million direct jobs, and contributed a total economic impact of $1.3 trillion to the world economy?

According to the recently released report Global Wellness Tourism Economy 2013 by the Global Wellness Institute, niche tourism is a rapidly growing component within the global travel and tourism industry.

"Wellness tourism shares many commonalities with a range of other niche tourism segments, including overlapping travel motivations and interests. A ‘secondary purpose’ wellness traveler may be simultaneously engaging in adventure tourism, culinary tourism, or eco-tourism as a primary or secondary interest during the same trip."

The Global Wellness Tourism Economy 2013 report states: "Wellness tourism’s impact on the global economy includes the direct effects of tourists’ trips and expenditures, as well as their indirect and induced effects on the overall economy."

The Global Wellness Institute report reveals that while North America is second to Europe in terms of combined international/inbound and domestic wellness trips in 2012, (163 million trips and 203 million trips, respectively) North American wellness tourists spend the most - around $181 billion.

On the other hand, Europeans spent $158.4 billion. Asia Pacific clocked in 120 million trips and generated $69.4 billion. Latin America came in fourth with 32 million trips and $22.4 billion in expenditures. Middle East and North Africa had a combined 5 million wellness tourists and generated $5.3 billion in expenditures. In the Sub-Saharan region, there were 2 million wellness trips, which generated $2 billion in expenditures.

The Global Wellness Tourism Economy 2013 reveals that the United States is number one in the top 20 countries for domestic and international wellness tourism expenditures with $167.1 billion, followed by Germany at $42.2 billion, Japan at number three with 28.6 billion, France at number 4 with $24.1 billion, Austria at number 5 with $14 billion, Canada at number 6 with $13.8 billion, United Kingdom at number 7 with $12.3 billion, Italy at number 8 with $11.7 billion, Switzerland at number 9 with $11.4 billion, and Mexico at number 10 with $8.9 billion.

Completing the top 20 countries list are China at 11, Spain at 12, South Korea at 13, Thailand at 14, Australia at 15, India at 16, Russia at 17, Portugal at 18, Greece at 19, and Turkey at 20.

For a copy of the report or for further information on the Global Wellness Institute, point your browser to gsws.org.