Las Vegas has been making headlines lately, and in case you’ve missed it, it might not be for the reasons you’d expect. The city has reported a dip in tourism in recent months — fewer visitors, emptier hotels, and a noticeable lull in the usually busy casinos. It’s likely due to a combination of reasons — some obvious, like the tighter economy, summer heat, and rising prices on the Strip. But there’s another reason that’s quickly taking over the conversation: a growing number of travelers are opting for vacations that prioritize rest over excess.
This trend reflects a broader cultural shift that’s also gaining momentum, especially among younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z are drinking less, prioritizing fitness, and using their time off more intentionally. Wellness, fitness, and recovery are becoming priorities while traveling, along with the goal of coming home in better shape than when you left — instead of feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.
If you’re also curious about what a healthier kind of travel could look like, here are a few ideas that might inspire you to trade the swim-up bar for a green juice on your next trip.
Silent Retreats
Silent retreats are becoming increasingly popular among travelers looking for a focused mental reset. Typically lasting anywhere from a weekend to 10 days, these retreats involve extended periods of silence, guided meditation, and structured daily routines. Participants follow a set schedule with basic meals and limited contact with the outside world. The goal is to reduce external distractions and create space for clear, uninterrupted thinking.
These retreats have long been popular in countries like India and Thailand, where Vipassana meditation centers draw thousands of visitors each year. But similar retreats have also been gaining traction in the U.S., particularly in places like California, New York, and Colorado. As interest in mental health and mindfulness grows, more and more travelers are turning to these structured periods of silence as a way to disconnect from stressful work schedules and the demands of daily life.
Digital Detoxes
If you want a similar mental reset but something a little less hardcore, a digital detox retreat might be for you. These programs offer a break from screens — no emails, no notifications, and no WiFi — while still allowing for social interaction in a relaxing environment. Many of these retreats follow a structured weekly schedule with activities like yoga, hiking, journaling, and mindfulness workshops.
Digital detox retreats have grown in popularity in recent years and are usually hosted by dedicated companies or wellness facilitators who organize special events at boutique hotels, eco-lodges, or remote cabins. With burnout on the rise and attention spans in the gutter, it’s no surprise that more people are skipping the overstimulating resorts and using their valuable vacation days to disconnect instead.
Performance & Recovery Travel
Long gone are the days where the hotel gym goes completely untouched. Today, a growing number of travelers are choosing destinations specifically for their access to fitness and recovery amenities. Cold plunges, infrared saunas, weight rooms, and mineral baths aren’t just nice-to-haves — for some people, they’re the whole purpose of the trip.
This trend is showing up across all price points: boutique hotels that advertise saunas, Airbnbs with gym equipment included, and high-end resorts that offer personalized training, mobility sessions, or access to massage therapists. Prioritizing fitness and sticking to a healthy routine while traveling used to seem obsessive, but for many, now it just feels like the smart and enjoyable thing to do.
Medical Tourism
Every year, more and more travelers plan international trips specifically around medical procedures — everything from dental procedures to fertility treatments to cosmetic work. Destinations like Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, and Hungary have developed particularly strong reputations for catering to foreign patients, with many clinics that offer specialized care and English-speaking staff.
And while taking advantage of lower treatment costs in other countries can certainly be a perk, it’s only part of the equation. Some facilities offer package deals that include accommodation, airport transfers, and recovery support, making the entire process streamlined and easy to navigate. Medical tourism is also appealing for procedures with long recovery periods, as it’s often easier and more comfortable to rest in a hotel with room service, or to recuperate near a beach, a thermal bath, or out in the countryside.
The idea of using a vacation to indulge and unwind is still alive and well — but it’s no longer the default. An increasing number of travelers are trading in slot machines, bottomless drinks, and late nights for something more peaceful, more intentional, and more restorative. The trend is still in its early stages, but it’s beginning to make a noticeable dent in the multi-trillion-dollar travel industry, one yoga retreat at a time.
One thing is clear, especially among younger generations: travel is no longer just about where you go, but how you feel when you return. And for a growing number of people, that means skipping the all-inclusive buffet and the open bar in favor of something that leaves them feeling better in the long run.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.