LIFESTYLE | WELLNESS
The region is redefining the wellness travel experience with immersive and integrated resorts that pay homage to ancient Arabic traditions and rituals
WRITTEN BY : KATE BIRCH
Move over , Asia , the Middle East region is posturing to become the world ’ s next big wellness destination .
While some countries in the region have already dipped a toe into wellness , opening high-end health resorts or five-star spas ( here ’ s looking at you Dubai ), the latest destinations are reaching greater wellbeing heights .
With the aim of promoting self-healing and self-discovery , these new-generation regional resorts are not only fully immersive and entirely holistic – blending wellness , culture , history , luxury and sustainability – but they are uniquely Arabic .
Tapping into the serenity and spirituality of the desert landscape and harnessing the unique characteristics of therapies , rituals and ingredients deeply rooted in Arabic culture , the region is rolling out a growing list of wellness destinations to lure travellers actively seeking ways to enhance personal wellbeing and mindfulness .
Take Qatar . Last year , the Gulf nation became home to the world ’ s first wellness destination to embrace Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine ( TAIM ) as its philosophy .
Quite literally a hidden oasis in the heart of Qatar ’ s desert landscape , Zulal Wellness
Banyan Tree AlUla
Resort by Chiva-Som – the Middle East branch of the world-renowned Thaiborn wellness retreat Chiva-Som and the region ’ s first full-immersion wellness resort – has integrated TAIM throughout its approach to wellness .
Region ’ s first full-immersion wellness resort embraces TAIM The resort has brought on board dedicated TAIM practitioners to deliver TAIM-inspired treatments like Hijama , a blood-
82 June 2023