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Sleep tourism turns rest and recovery into holiday priorities
Sleep tourism involves travelling specifically to rest, reset or improve sleep habits.
The Global Wellness Institute has identified sleep tourism as a major wellness trend for 2026.
Hilton’s 2025 survey found that two in five travellers consider sleep quality when choosing a hotel.
Research suggests holidays may improve sleep and wellbeing temporarily, but evidence remains limited.
Sleep-focused travel is not a substitute for medical assessment of persistent sleep problems.
- Who
- Travellers interested in rest, recovery and wellness-focused holidays.
- What
- An emerging form of wellness travel in which sleep and relaxation are central parts of the holiday.
- Where
- The trend is discussed internationally, with survey data from global travellers and sleep statistics from the United States.
- When
- The trend is gaining attention, with the Global Wellness Institute identifying it as a major wellness trend for 2026; cited surveys and studies date from 2024 and earlier.
- Why
- Travel disruption, demanding routines and widespread difficulty getting enough sleep are encouraging people to make rest a deliberate part of their holidays.
Key facts
- Trend forecast
- The Global Wellness Institute identified sleep tourism as a major wellness trend for 2026.
- Sleep economy
- The Global Wellness Institute estimates the global sleep economy at more than $585 billion, including industries beyond tourism.
- United States sleep data
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 30.5% of United States adults got fewer than seven hours of sleep on average in 2024.
- Hotel selection
- Hilton’s 2025 global travel trends survey found that two in five travellers consider whether they will sleep well when choosing a hotel.
- Holiday habits
- Nearly half of respondents in Hilton’s survey said they avoid setting an alarm while on holiday.
- Sleep arrangements
- Hilton’s survey found that 63% said they sleep better alone, while 37% preferred a separate bed from their partner when travelling.
- Research limitation
- Studies suggest holidays may improve sleep and wellbeing, but benefits can diminish after people return to normal routines.








