Why You’re Going to Want to Book a Sleep Tourism Holiday in 2023

The next big thing in wellness is getting your rest in… while on vacation.

A funny thing often happens when we go on holiday. We have an amazing night’s sleep. We usually chalk it down to the fact that holidays are a deeply relaxing break from our usual routine and the stress of work – and when we’re lucky, they involve a big, comfortable hotel bed. No wonder we find ourselves sleeping through the night.

Sleep tourism, the coolest new wellness trend for 2023, is an expansion on this notion. It takes the idea of getting in quality rest while on holiday and makes the whole trip dedicated to that exact goal: sleep tourism is about going on vacation purely to get more sleep. And it’s set to become the buzziest and most-talked about travel trend of the year.

“People often associate travel with decadent meals, extending their bed times, the attractions and the things you do while you’re travelling, really almost at the cost of sleep,” Dr Rebecca Robbins, an expert in sleep, told CNN travel. “Now I think there’s just been a huge seismic shift in our collective awareness and prioritisation on wellness and wellbeing.”

This is what sets sleep tourism apart from your usual holiday. What sleep tourism is not is a big, action-packed itinerary with multiple stops, connections and activities. Sleep tourism is not about packing as much as you can into a holiday and telling yourself that you’ll only ever visit this destination once, and that you can sleep when you get home. Sleep tourism is about prioritising rest while you’re on the road and making sure that the goal of the whole trip is to get at least eight hours each night.

So, how do you craft a sleep tourism trip that will help you slip easily into the land of sweet dreams?

1. Cut back on destinations and activities

The first tip is to cut back on destinations and activities. The ideal sleep tourism holiday is in one place, without moving locations or accommodations. To that end, it’s even better if you can pick a destination that is close to home and doesn’t require too much travelling to get there or that will result in jet lag. These things will disrupt your sleep patterns and sleep hygiene and make it harder to get your rest in the evening. Jet lag is the enemy of sleep and the ultimate sleep tourism holiday cuts it out completely.

2. Pick a beautiful destination that is a short flight – or even better, a drive or train ride – from your home.

Many hotels now are catering to sleep tourists by ensuring that their bedrooms are set up for ultimate rest and relaxation. Look for hotels that offer a pillow menu and other sleep benefits, whether it’s lavender pillow sprays, sleepy tea, blackout curtains or massages and spa treatments that help to create a stress-free environment for your trip. Globally, hotels such as the Park Hyatt, the Rosewood and Raffles all offer sleep tourism packages. Locally, look to the Langham hotel in Sydney, which offers a Sleep Matters program by Chuan to help weary travellers get the best rest possible.

3. You don't have to sleep the whole time

Sleep tourism doesn’t mean that you have to spend the whole day in bed, however. Pick a destination that has something to offer, whether you’re the kind of person who enjoys exploring hotel facilities (by which we mean, lounging by the hotel pool with a really good book), or heading outside to a nearby attraction, like a beach or a winery. Getting out of your accommodation early in the morning and absorbing some daylight into your skin is one way to help establish good sleep hygiene and will help your body know that it’s time to rest in the evening.

4. Limit alcohol

Lastly, and though it’s tempting while you’re on holiday, but one way to really enjoy yourself as a sleep tourist is to cut back on the alcohol. Drinking before bed is disruptive to a good sleep routine. If you forgo the wine on your holiday, replace it with something special like a non alcoholic spritz so that you can still enjoy yourself while on your break.