World Sleep Day: What is sleep tourism and why are people talking about it?

On World Sleep Day, we explore the rise of sleep tourism, where pillow menus, circadian- boosting hikes and nap consultants are part of the itinerary

Although the worst of the pandemic may be over, it could still be keeping you awake. With people now prioritising their health, after 3 tumultuous years, there is a renewed focus on getting a good night’s rest. Hence the rise of sleep tourism, where you travel just so you can tuck yourself into bed at 8pm. Sure, it’s a far cry from the club hopping holidays of your past – but these holidays still manage to combine the wonder of travel with the luxury of rest.

At Castle Hot Springs, located amid the stunning landscape of the Sonoran Desert and Bradshaw Mountains in Arizona desert, you can sign up for a three-night Sleep Retreat. Recover from jet lag with some help from sleep researcher and author Dr Rebecca Robbins, who hosts discussions, meditation sessions, and activities at the retreat, including circadian-boosting yoga and morning hikes.

“Guests are asked to track their sleep. By understanding one’s habits, guests can make immediate changes to their sleep patterns and find a more restorative rest,” says a company source, adding that their circadian- boosting hikes offer “morning sunlight exposure paired with the beauty of the Sonoran Desert.” The retreat, priced at $1,500 for two people, draws guests from across the world.

Discussing why people are willing to invest in better sleep now, Dr N Ramakrishnan, Senior Consultant in Sleep Medicine, Apollo Hospitals and director of the Nithra Sleep Clinic in Chennai points out that many people have been having difficulty in getting a good night’s sleep ever since the pandemic began. He says this is because of the change in lifestyles, which includes more screen time and less exposure to sunlight.

While sleep tourism is a new concept in most parts of the world, Hästens Sleep Spa - CBR Boutique Hotel has been in the business in Coimbra, Portugal since 1852. They have however noticed a rise in the the number of guests in recent years. “Nowadays, with the growing awareness of the importance of quality sleep and how it affects the whole day, there has been an increasing demand for an exclusive Sleep Spa service such as Bed Talks that gives guests the chance to learn from a major sleep expert and pillow menu,” says a spokesperson, adding that while the younger guests enjoy the sleep spa, the older ones seek to be learn about the importance of sleep for their health and quality of life.

Guests here can choose from a selection of audio recordings, which the hotel claims can calm and relax their system during the day as well as ensure a deep refreshing sleep at night. Sleep expert Dr Edie Perry, who Hästens has partnered with, has created a range of exclusive short videos for the hotel guests with advice on the best neck position, lumbar spine support, pillow choices and more. Moreover, menus here are created and planned to avoid ingredients that are sleep inhibiting.

In India too, some hotels have started catering to sleep tourists. The Six Senses Fort Barwara is a beautiful 14th-Century fort, originally owned by a Rajasthani Royal Family, facing the Chauth ka Barwara Mandir temple. It has been sensitively converted into a Six Senses sanctuary of well-being. The company says they did months of research, collecting data from Wellness practitioners in different locations of its hotels before designing their specific programme for sleep: ‘Sleep with Six Senses’.