GWD set for record global participation on June 11
Global Wellness Day (GWD) arrives this Saturday, June 11, with more than 100 countries set to participate and events organised in over 3,000 global locations.
Businesses, organisations and local governments the world over will take part in the event, designed to draw attention to the importance of wellbeing, good health and a balanced lifestyle.
Established in Turkey in Turkey in 2012, GWD has grown year-on-year and now has ambassadors in 83 countries around the world, as well as 21 global "key supporters".
Dedicated to “living well,” GWD was launched by Belgin Aksoy, founder of Turkish destination spa Richmond Nua Wellness Spa, with seven key steps at the core of its philosophy.
The seven steps, which consumers the world over are encouraged to as much as possible incorporate into their daily routine, are:
- Walk for an hour
- Drink more water
- Do not use plastic bottles
- Eat organic foods
- Do a good deed
- Have a family dinner
- Sleep at 10pm
Countries participating in this year’s GWD include Austria, where Best Alpine Wellness Hotels will be celebrating the day across its different properties; France, where 600 loactions across 300 cities and regions are offically suporting the event; and Spain where nearly 30 locations will be involved.
Other particpating countries include Turkey, where an event in KüçükÇiftlik Park in Istanbul featuring activities such as yoga, zumba, pilates, a music concert and nutrition-related elements is expected to attract around 10,000 people, and the US, where a three mile “fun run” will take place in Jackonville, Florida, followed by yoga and dance classes.
Busineses taking part incldue Constance Hotels & Resorts, the Jumeirah group’s Talise Spa brand, Lux Hotels & Resorts, Cidesco, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott Hotels, Red Door Spas, Oberoi Spas and Six Senses Spas – to mention just a few.
GWD events taking place at Six Senses Spas around the world include yoga, tai chi, outdoor zumba, meditation, jungle gym training, areal yoga, singing bowl classes, ayurveda sessions, kids wellness, forrest walking and massage workshops – among many others.
Activities offered by Mandarin Oriental include a pilates class in the spa garden at the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech, a guided run around the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, a training circuit with views of Hong Kong harbour and a guided singing bowl meditation at the Mandarin Oriental Miami.
Among the organisations supporting GWD are the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Touristic Hotel Investors Association in Turkey.
GWD 2016 has been dedicated to the memory of Charlene Florian, chief creative officer of skincare brand Kerstin Florian, who passed away from cancer earlier in March this year.
GWD has, in collaboration with the Turkish Foundation For Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats, planted 200 trees in Florian’s memory.
For more information on the 2016 Global Wellness Day, click here.
