Sources & method
Every number, traceable to its source
This platform is built on a rule: every figure carries a source and a data year, estimates are flagged, and a chart whose value has no resolvable source fails the build. Below are the load-bearing sources behind the charts and headline claims; each briefing in the Library also carries its own complete reference list.
Tier 1 — primary & authoritative
- AYUSH Ministry (2025)https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/indian-ayurveda-economy-valued-at-43-billion-ayush-secretary-kotecha/articleshow/124955508.cms
- AlMuhaideb / Liu et al. (2022)
- AlMuhaideb et al. (2022)
- AlMuhaideb et al. (PeerJ CS) (2022)https://peerj.com/articles/cs-1147/
- AmSpa (2022)https://www.americanmedspa.org/news/2024-medical-spa-state-of-the-industry-report-recap/
- AmSpa (2023)https://www.americanmedspa.org/news/2024-medical-spa-state-of-the-industry-report-recap/
- AmSpa (2024)https://www.americanmedspa.org/news/2024-medical-spa-state-of-the-industry-executive-report-recap/
- AmSpa/Baird (2024)https://www.americanmedspa.org/news/amspas-2024-medical-spa-state-of-the-industry-report-shows-medical-aesthetics-continues-steady-growth-after-pandemic/
- Austrian Wellness Report (2016)
- Austrian Wellness Report (FH Joanneum/GWI) (2016)https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/wp-content/uploads/AustrianWellnessReport_GWIversion.pdf
- Bahrain Law 30/2018 (2019)
- Bahrain Law 30/2018 (2026)
- Blue Lagoon hf. (2017)https://skift.com/2024/09/12/blue-lagoon-is-rebounding-amid-iceland-tourism-slowdown/
- Blue Lagoon hf. (2023)https://assets.ctfassets.net/w65k7w0nsb8q/41AbTzvCI5MQgeE8QqVmrw/14b6eee9c614613b65bb20ebf07edcfa/Annual_Financial_statement_Blue_Lagoon_2024_translated__Final__2_.pdf
- Blue Lagoon hf. (2024)https://assets.ctfassets.net/w65k7w0nsb8q/41AbTzvCI5MQgeE8QqVmrw/14b6eee9c614613b65bb20ebf07edcfa/Annual_Financial_statement_Blue_Lagoon_2024_translated__Final__2_.pdf
- Blue Lagoon hf. (—)https://skift.com/2024/09/12/blue-lagoon-is-rebounding-amid-iceland-tourism-slowdown/
- Cornell Hospitality Report — What Do Hotel Guests Really Want? (724 guests, 33 hotels) (2018)https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/283233a4-cf62-4766-86a2-36f4c6ae909e/content
- Cornell Hospitality Report (Dev, Hamilton, Rust & Valenti) (2018)https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstreams/283233a4-cf62-4766-86a2-36f4c6ae909e/download
- Cornell School of Hotel Administration (Dev et al.) (2018)
- Cornell University (2018)
- Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (2018)
- Dantas et al. (2018)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.02.002
- Dev & Kumar, Boston Hospitality Review (2019)https://www.bu.edu/bhr/2019/03/20/a-detailed-study-of-the-expected-and-actual-use-of-hotel-amenities/
- Egypt Law 151/2020 (2026)
- Eurostat (2024)https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Tourism_statistics_-_characteristics_of_tourism_trips
- GDPR (Reg. 2016/679) (2018)
- GDPR (Reg. 2016/679) (2026)
- GDPR (Regulation 2016/679) (2018)
- GUS (2025)https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/health/health/therapeutic-activities-of-health-resort-facilities-and-inpatient-rehabilitation-facilities-in-2025,9,10.html
- GWI (2017)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2024/03/25/a-decade-of-wellness-tourism-first-ever-compilation-of-10-years-of-market-data/
- GWI (2018)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/europe-wellness-tourism-economy/
- GWI (2022)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/globalwellnesseconomymonitor2023/
- GWI (2023)
- GWI (2024)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/the-global-wellness-economy-hits-a-record-6-8-trillion-and-is-forecast-to-reach-9-8-trillion-by-2029/
- GWI (2029)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/the-global-wellness-economy-hits-a-record-6-8-trillion-and-is-forecast-to-reach-9-8-trillion-by-2029/
- GWI / European SPA Foundation (—)
- GWI / PR Newswire (—)https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-from-the-global-wellness-institute-ranks-italy-among-the-worlds-top-10-wellness-economies-valued-at-140-6-billion-302676918.html
- GWI / PRWeb (2023)https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-global-wellness-economy-reaches-a-new-peak-of-6-3-trillionand-is-forecast-to-hit-9-trillion-by-2028--302295427.html
- GWI / PRWeb (2027)https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-global-wellness-economy-reaches-a-new-peak-of-6-3-trillionand-is-forecast-to-hit-9-trillion-by-2028--302295427.html
- GWI / PRWeb (2028)https://www.prweb.com/releases/the-global-wellness-economy-reaches-a-new-peak-of-6-3-trillionand-is-forecast-to-hit-9-trillion-by-2028--302295427.html
- GWI Canada (2022)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GWI-Canada-2023-Report.pdf
- GWI Canada (2023)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/canada-geography-of-wellness-2025/
- GWI Italy (2024)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/new-research-from-the-global-wellness-institute-ranks-italy-among-the-worlds-top-10-wellness-economies-valued-at-140-6-billion/
- GWI Thailand (2023)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/gwi-releases-new-data-on-thailands-fast-growing-wellness-market/
- GWI Thailand (2024)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/gwi-releases-new-data-on-thailands-fast-growing-wellness-market/
- GWI via BBspa Group (2022)https://www.bbspagroup.com/spa-and-wellness-market-how-much-is-this-business-worth/
- GWI via European SPA Foundation (—)
- GWI/ISPA (2024)
- GWS / Horwath HTL Spa Profitability Handbook (2020)https://horwathhtl.com/publication/industry-report-spa-profitability-handbook/
- Global Wellness Institute — Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2024 (2023 data) (2024)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WellnessEconMonitor2024PDF.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute — Country Rankings (2019–2023) (2025)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025_GWI-Country-Rankings_010825-FINAL.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute — Wellness markets of 145 countries (2019–2024) (2026)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/global-wellness-institute-unveils-new-data-on-the-wellness-markets-of-145-countries/
- Global Wellness Institute — US Wellness Economy $2.1 Trillion (2024) (2026)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/us-wellness-economy-surges-to-2-1-trillion-cementing-global-leadership/
- Global Wellness Institute — UAE Wellness Economy report (2024) (2025)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/new-global-wellness-institute-report-shows-uae-wellness-economy-now-worth-40-8-billion/
- Global Wellness Institute — Saudi Arabia Wellness Economy report (2022) (2024)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/gow-saudi-arabia/
- Global Wellness Institute (2019)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_GWI-Country-Rankings_022125.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute (2020)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_GWI-Country-Rankings_022125.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute (2021)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025_GWI-Country-Rankings_022125.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute (2022)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2023/11/28/wellness-tourism-will-cross-the-1-trillion-mark-in-2024/
- Global Wellness Institute (2023)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/2024-the-global-wellness-economy-country-rankings/
- Global Wellness Institute (2024)https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-global-wellness-economy-hits-a-record-6-8-trillion-and-is-forecast-to-reach-9-8-trillion-by-2029--302615214.html
- Global Wellness Institute (2025)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2025/11/25/wellness-market-hits-record-6-8-trillion-will-reach-nearly-10-trillion-by-2029/
- Global Wellness Institute (2027)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/global-wellness-institute-blog/2023/11/28/wellness-tourism-will-cross-the-1-trillion-mark-in-2024/
- Global Wellness Institute (2028)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/industry-research/2024-the-global-wellness-economy-country-rankings/
- Global Wellness Institute (2029)https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-global-wellness-economy-hits-a-record-6-8-trillion-and-is-forecast-to-reach-9-8-trillion-by-2029--302615214.html
- Global Wellness Institute (—)
- Global Wellness Institute (derived) (2023)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WellnessEconMonitor2024PDF.pdf
- Global Wellness Institute/Global Wellness Summit (2015, outdated) (2013)https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/press-releases/global-wellness-summit-announces-mexico-city/
- Horwath HTL — Spa Profitability Handbook (2020)https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INDUSTRY_REPORT_SPA-PROFITABILITY.pdf
- Horwath HTL (2020)https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INDUSTRY_REPORT_SPA-PROFITABILITY.pdf
- Horwath HTL (2023)https://www.lumina-wellbeing.com/journel-cms/5-spa-wellness-financial-drivers-to-improve-strategies-performance
- Horwath HTL (2024)
- Horwath HTL (—)
- Horwath HTL / CBRE (2020)https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INDUSTRY_REPORT_SPA-PROFITABILITY.pdf
- Horwath HTL / CBRE (2024)
- Horwath HTL / GWS (2020)
- Horwath HTL / Lodging Econometrics (2024)https://horwathhtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mexico-Hotel-Market-2024.pdf
- Horwath HTL / RenTech Digital (2024)https://horwathhtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mexico-Hotel-Market-2024.pdf
- Horwath HTL / SECTUR-DATATUR (2024)https://horwathhtl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mexico-Hotel-Market-2024.pdf
- Horwath HTL, Spa Profitability Handbook (2020)https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INDUSTRY_REPORT_SPA-PROFITABILITY.pdf
- Hyatt Vivid Grand Island Cancun (SEC filing) (2024)https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1988776/000114036124050651/ef20040769_ex99-5.htm
- INEGI CSTM (2023)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Mexico
- ISPA (2004)
- ISPA (2018)https://experienceispa.com/ispa-academy-archive/page/22/
- ISPA (2023)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/no-need-to-massage-these-numbers-ispas-latest-big-five-statistics-show-spas-thriving/
- ISPA (2024)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/no-need-to-massage-these-numbers-ispas-latest-big-five-statistics-show-spas-thriving/
- ISPA (2025)
- ISPA / CBRE (2023)
- ISPA / PwC (2015)
- ISPA / PwC, 2024 US Spa Industry Study (2024)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/big-news-for-u-s-spa-revenue-growth/
- ISPA / PwC, US Spa Industry Study (2024)https://www.spabusiness.com/wellness-news/US-spa-boom-continues-three-year-streak-pushes-industry-revenue-to-record-225bn/355273
- ISPA / Statista (2024)
- ISPA Big Five (2022)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- ISPA Big Five (2023)
- ISPA Big Five (2024)
- ISPA Big Five (2025)
- ISPA/PwC (2019)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- ISPA/PwC (2020)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- ISPA/PwC (2023)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- ISPA/PwC (2024)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/big-news-for-u-s-spa-revenue-growth/
- ISPA/PwC (2025)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- ISPA/PwC (2030)https://experienceispa.com/press-releases/powered-by-the-industry-it-serves-ispas-2026-big-five-statistics-show-steady-gains-and-enduring-strength/
- Intelligent Spas (2019)
- Intelligent Spas (—)
- Intelligent Spas Global Benchmark Survey (2019)
- JIHM journal study (—)
- Japan Ministry of Environment (2018)https://www.onsen-r.co.jp/data/facility/
- Japan Ministry of Environment (2019)https://www.onsen-r.co.jp/data/facility/
- Kamola & Arabas (IEEE Access) (2020)https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9033971/
- Kim & Tang / Chalupa et al. (2024)https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41272-024-00499-1
- Kogod School, American University (2024)https://kogod.american.edu/news/the-hidden-healthcare-infrastructure-americans-cross-the-border-to-find
- Korea Ministry of Health & Welfare (2024)https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250402005800320
- Liu et al. (2022)
- Liu et al. (npj Digital Medicine) (2022)https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-022-00594-w
- Lumina Wellbeing / Horwath HTL (2026)
- Lumina Wellbeing / Horwath HTL (—)
- Makridakis Competitions (—)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makridakis_Competitions
- Natural Hazards (peer-reviewed) (2023)https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/nathaz/v122y2026i5d10.1007_s11069-026-07975-4.html
- Oikonomidi et al. (2023)
- Oikonomidi et al. (JAMIA) (2023)https://academic.oup.com/jamia/article/30/3/559/6889491
- PLOS ONE (peer-reviewed) (2015)https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0137306
- PMC (peer-reviewed RCT) (2016)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5227159/
- PMC4831598 (peer-reviewed) (2025)
- Playa Hotels & Resorts 10-K (SEC) (2024)https://filecache.investorroom.com/mr5ir_playaresorts/735/2024_PLYA_US_GAAP_10-K.pdf
- Polish DP Act (10 May 2018) (2018)
- Polish DP Act 2018 / GDPR (2026)
- Polish Data Protection Act 2018 (2018)
- Polish tax law (2026)
- Qatar Law 13/2016 (2017)
- Qatar Law 13/2016 (2026)
- SECTUR (2017)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Mexico
- Saudi PDPL (Royal Decree M/19) (2026)
- Statista / GWI (2024)
- Statista / ISPA (2024)
- Statistics Finland (2025)https://toolbox.finland.fi/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/finland-in-figures-2025.pdf
- Statistics Iceland (2024)https://statice.is/publications/news-archive/national-accounts/tourism-satellite-accounts-2024/
- The Permanente Journal (RCT) (2025)
- Tunisia Organic Law 2004-63 (2026)
- UAE Federal Decree-Law 45/2021 (2022)
- UAE Federal Decree-Law 45/2021 (2025)
- UAE Federal Decree-Law 45/2021 (2026)
- UNESCO (2020)https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/sauna-culture-in-finland-01596
- UNESCO (2021)https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1613/
- UODO (2019)https://uodo.gov.pl
- University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (2025)https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2025/0604/sargassum-seaweed-record
- Washington University (Olin) (2025)https://lutily.com/blog/salon-loyalty-program-that-works
- spa-forecasting brief (literature) (2022)
Where a country-level metric genuinely does not exist in the public record (for example, spa online-booking penetration outside North America), we say so rather than estimate.