When you think of a cultural immersion, do you think of time at the spa? If not, here's why you want to shift your mindset. Each hotel, resort, or wellness center wants to brag about what makes their city or country special. Many suppliers look to give their guests an experience that connects them with their travels. This can be done through food, spa, and creating a sense of place. Clients have the chance to learn more about their destination through treatments or rituals designed to engage visitors with the culture and traditions.

If Mexico is on the agenda, a Bacal Massage at one of the Velas Resorts is a great option. Bacal is the Mayan word for cob and this treatment combines honey and dry corn for a body exfoliation before a massage with essential oil. For the client who is ready for more intense healing, a Temazcal at Chable Yucatan will showcase your wellness expertise. This traditional Mayan ceremony takes place with a shaman who will lead guests through a series of rituals inside and out of a sweat lodge. Throughout this time, words are intentionally spoken to release what we don't want and bring in more of what serves us. It is a beautiful cleansing experience that lasts two to four hours.

When visiting Indonesia, clients can stay active while incorporating tradition in the Balinese Dance Movement class at Capella Ubud or walk through the farmed rice fields of Keliki and learn about the planting and harvesting. The Khmer water blessing is a Cambodian tradition to wish good luck and happiness. Song Saa Private Island coordinates private blessings where three monks from Prek Svay Pagoda will perform the ceremony.

Travel to India and be immersed in Ayurvedic traditions. The Sirodhara is a must for any traveler looking to destress. A warm oil is dripped onto the third eye and through this process, one can feel their racing thoughts melt away. This is beneficial for anti-aging, stress relief, and improving memory. At Ananda in the Himalayas, guests can choose an Ayurvedic experience that starts with a Constitutional Analysis to fully understand their Doshas and includes customized support before, during, and after the stay.

The Turkish Hammam is a tradition that involves full body cleansing and exfoliating. Not for the shy, this involves full nudity and pending the location, may have little privacy. Ask ahead about the facilities! Six Senses Kaplankaya offers three versions of the hammam for your clients to choose from.

Incorporating local ingredients into treatments is a fantastic option for understanding the destination. At White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, ME, the Milk & Honey Ritual uses local honey in the body scrub, followed by a luxurious milk bath, and brings the treatment to an end with a hot stone massage. Specifically, hot Kennebunkport River Stones delivering the energy of this kind and happy town.

Look through the spa menus for unique options, ceremonies, rituals, and local ingredients. This is one way of seeing the property's commitment to wellness and how you can wow your clients with cultural immersion. Not only is it a moment of wellness or healing, but a memory that will be cherished.

Contributor:

Jackie Roby is Chief Excellence Officer at Inspired Journey Consulting, a Boston-based business dedicated to wellness, healing, and transformational tourism. She is a sales strategist & social media amplifier for healing and wellness travel businesses. Jackie is a Diversity Equity Inclusion advocate with over 19 years of experience in travel and hospitality sales. Through a message of #TravelCanHeal, IJC's vision is to create a world where marginalized people feel empowered to be their authentic selves, where traveling is a tool for inclusion, to enhance the cultural wellness in the travel industry, and grow emotional intelligence, healing, and self-care for a kinder humanity.