In April 2020, WeTravel surveyed its clients to find out how they have been impacted by COVID-19 and uncover their outlook for the future. When did most retreat leaders begin feeling and impact on their businesses? What percentage of 2020 retreat offerings have been cancelled so far? What are the major reasons for these cancellations? How about postponements and reschedulings? Have most people begun rescheduling, and if so, how far out are they generally targeting? How are most people managing refunds where a retreat has had to be cancelled or postponed? How are clients reacting to these policies? Are people optimistic about the future? How long will it take for the industry to rebound?

1. Survey Results:
COVID-19’s Impact On
The Wellness Retreat Industry
April 20, 2020

2. Highlights
• 68% of respondents plan to reschedule planned offerings to October
2020 and beyond
• 41% expect major (>50%) revenue declines in 2020, but a majority
maintain a positive outlook for 2021
• 48% have managed to give full refunds, or refunds minus a small
administrative fee, to their participants
• 63% believe the industry will recover in their home countries within 12
months
2www.wetravel.com

3. Respondent Profile
132 Respondents – By Geography:
North America 71 %
Europe 9%
South America 5%
Asia 5%
Other regions 10%
> including digital nomads 6%
www.wetravel.com 3

4. Respondent Profile
Number of employees: Years in business:
Types of programs offered (multiple responses possible):
Domestic retreats
International retreats
Local trainings
Destination trainings
Other
www.wetravel.com 4
3.8%

5. Impact of COVID-19
Percentage of 2020 retreats, trainings, or
similar offerings cancelled:
Reported earliest business impact of
COVID-19 (2020):
www.wetravel.com 5
2.3%

6. Impact of COVID-19
Percentage of 2020 offerings being
rescheduled:
Percentage of new 2020 bookings declined as a
result of COVID-19:
www.wetravel.com 6
6.1%
7.6%

7. Industry Response
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
1H2021
2H2021
Target dates for rescheduling postponed offerings
(multiple responses possible):
www.wetravel.com 7
They are giving us a full refund
They are giving us credit to use for future bookings
They are not refunding nor rescheduling
They are giving refund minus a small fee
Other
Response to the situation by retreat centers, logistics service
providers, and other vendors/partners (multiple responses
possible):

8. Industry Response
Respondents’ client refund policy for bookings cancelled
due to COVID-19 (multiple responses possible):
Giving 100% refunds
Giving refunds minus a small fee
Not giving refunds due to cancelation policy
Waiting for refunds from partners/vendors
Giving credits toward future offerings
Still negotiating
www.wetravel.com 8
Client responses to these policies (multiple responses
possible):
They are happy
They are allowing us to reschedule for future dates
Not happy
They are considering reaching out to their credit
card company for a full refund
They are being patient while we wait for money
back from partners/vendors
Don't know

9. Industry Outlook
“How long do you think it will take for the industry to
recover in your country?”
www.wetravel.com 9
3.8%
3.8%
“Have you received any credit card
disputes/chargebacks?”

10. Industry Outlook
Expectations of 2020 revenue decline as a result of
COVID-19:
Overall business outlook for 2H2020:
www.wetravel.com 10
3.1%
6.8%

11. Industry Outlook
www.wetravel.com 11
“What are your future programming plans?” (multiple responses possible)
I will offer more travel-related programming
I will offer the same amount of travel-related programming
I will offer less travel-related programming
I will offer more online programming
I will offer the same amount of online programming
I will offer less online programming
Unsure

12. Quotes
What realization have you had after the COVID-19 outbreak?
• “This is an opportunity to realign our lives. When we come back to normalcy, I hope it’s a new normal. I hope that we are using this as an
opportunity to remember what truly matters. Aligning in this way is the best thing we can do for mind/body health.” –Erica McQuown, Ayurverica
• “Take it day by day and don't panic. It might be slow now, but use this time to refine your offerings and reach out to more people online and plant
seeds for traveling to certain destinations. This time is asking us to get creative and think out of the box, how can you still do what you love to do,
even if you are not traveling and leading a retreat at this moment, continue to connect to community and share your offerings so in the future
when travel restrictions are lifted, people will be inspired to join your trips.” –Joan Hyman, Joan Hyman Yoga
• “It is so essential to have contracts and liability/travel insurance in place. It is the only way to protect yourself in emergency situations like this.” –
Anna VanAgtmael, Wandering Roots
• "A reminder that there is good in everything and while we practice social distancing, this outbreak allows us as global citizens to be more
connected than ever. Thank you technology.” –Jennica Joyce Arrklev, Jennica Joyce Yoga
www.wetravel.com 11Go to tri.ps/BigPicture for more quotes

13. Quotes
What advice you would give world leaders about how to handle this crisis?
• “Humanity first. There's people of all income levels, all races, genders, career paths, young and old who need support. As leaders of our country,
keep us informed - with complete transparency. Not so that we are fearful, but so that we are prepared. As small business owners and
entrepreneurs understanding this crisis and what we should be planning will decide the fate of many of our businesses. It enables us to act
courageously rather than from fear of the unknown.” –Kimber-lee Jacobsen, Be Light Yoga Center
• “Take this opportunity to rethink our global systems and economy, to focus on the rights of citizens rather than monopoly corporations, and lead us
into better balance with Mother Earth.” –Hannah Ruth Dyson, Soul Seed Gathering
• “Act swiftly. Realize that many small businesses are going to suffer greatly. Don't forget about Independent contractors and sole proprietors. “ –
Marci Jory, Thrive Yoga OC
• “Come together. Create a global strategy. I believe we will be tested again and again in different ways, unless we start shifting to a more unified,
collaborative approach. Let the experts advise policy and get politics out of the way.”
–Hillary Skibell, Breathing Room
www.wetravel.com 12Go to tri.ps/BigPicture for more quotes

14. www.wetravel.com
Thank You!
If you need any help from us during this time, please reach out: info@wetravel.com
To learn more about us, visit our website: wetravel.com
For additional stories & updates, read our blog: wetravel.com/stories
We’re in this together.
© WeTravel 2020
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED