Byron Bay hosts wellness tourism summit

MORE than 100 industry leaders, operators and suppliers will gather at Elements of Byron resort for the Wellness Tourism Summit this week.

The event, which begins on September 4, will explore the latest trends in the rapidly expanding wellness tourism sector, with 28 expert speakers sharing insights.

Among them are prominent local voices including The Banya Bathhouse founder Brenden Lawless, Gaia Retreat and Spa general manager Emily Griffin, Bundjalung guide Delta Kay from Explore Byron Bay; and Erin Tetarenko, a mind–body facilitator from Byron Yoga Centre.

Summit founder Katherine Droga said this is the second time the event has been held in the Northern Rivers, following its successful debut at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa at Kingscliff in 2022.

“We got great feedback so we always planned to do another one and it was perfect timing for us to do it in Byron Bay,” she said.

“Byron has such a deep history of wellness – from its amazing practitioners to nature experiences – and we felt it would be a really good place to bring it and connect the wellness community.”

Droga, who also created the Well Traveller website and TV series, said Elements of Byron offered an ideal setting for delegates from across Australia and New Zealand to immerse themselves in wellness.

“Elements is such a beautiful location for us because we wanted something that’s close to the ocean as well to celebrate the first light with our Wake Up to Wellness program,” she said.

“We all work in the wellness tourism category but often we don’t have time to do wellness ourselves, so it includes experiences like yoga sessions, surf lessons and native foraging with Delta Kay.”

Droga said that wellness tourism encompasses more than just retreats – it includes any experience that enhances mental, emotional or physical wellbeing.

“There’s just so much in the category now and that’s why it’s so good to bring everybody together to discuss it,” she said.

“It’s continuing to grow because as a society we are getting busier and busier, and we know we need to invest in our wellbeing to support the stresses of our daily lives.

“It’s not just yoga retreats – it’s people who are adding a surfing tour or kayaking to their holiday. It doesn’t need to be expensive. The biggest part of it is a connection to nature.”