Italy enters Global Wellness Institute's Geography of Wellness

Italy's entry into theGeography of Wellness of theGlobal Wellness Institute (GWI)marks an important turning point for the international recognition of our country as a leading player in the global wellness sector. This achievement was made possible thanks to the strategic partnership with Italcares, the digital platform born from Federterme's initiative and promoted by the Ministry of Tourism, which connects internationals and operators with Italian excellence in health, spa and wellness.

A $140.6 billion market: Italy among the top 10 wellness economies

According to the 2025 Global Wellness Economy: Italy report published by GWI's Geography of Wellness, Italy ranks 10th among the world's wellness economies, with a total value of $140.6 billion. This ranking is not the result of a single dimension, but derives from an analysis of Italian performance in 10 of the 11 sectors that make up the global wellness economy: from physical activity to healthy eating, from personalized medicine to spa and thermal tourism.

Particularly relevant are the sectors of wellness tourism, spas and thermal and mineral waters, which together reached a value close to $27 billion in 2024, confirming Italy's strong attractiveness as a destination for integrated wellness experiences.

The partnership with Italcares: Data, visibility, and development

The role of Italcares was instrumental in making this analysis of international scope possible. Through its collaboration with the GWI, Italy was able to include its data in the Geography of Wellness, ensuring transparency, scientific rigor and global comparability.

According to Italcares director Raffaella Di Sipio, data sponsorship represents a solid foundation for practitioners, policy-makers and investors, shifting the discourse from the perceived to the real, measurable evidence-based level. This approach allows for a better appreciation of Italian expertise, the integration of spa tradition and modern medicine, and the quality of the proposed wellness experiences.

Wellness in Italy: tradition, nature and lifestyle

The recognition of the Geography of Wellness is not surprising considering the deep rootedness of the concept of wellness in Italian culture. Wellness in Italy is not perceived as a passing fad, but as a cultural and scientific tradition supported by a unique geographical and climatic diversity: from the Alps to the coasts, from volcanic landscapes to Mediterranean islands.

The therapeutic use of thermal and mineral waters, practiced since Roman times, has evolved into structured clinical pathways integrated into preventive and curative systems, confirming the country's role as a pioneer in thermal medicineand preventive. At the same time, factors such as the Mediterranean diet, the community lifestyle, and the rich range of outdoor activities contribute to consolidating the Italian wellness experience as a comprehensive and distinctive model.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Global Wellness Institute's Geography of Wellness?
The Geography of Wellness is a global research platform that analyzes and compares wellness markets across different countries, offering data on economic value, performance sectors and growth trends.

Why is Italy's inclusion in this ranking important?
Italy's inclusion in the ranking of the top 10 wellness economies confirms the country's strategic role in the sector, reinforces its international reputation and offers data-driven analysis tools for decision-makers and business operators.

Which wellness sectors are strongest in Italy?
The main sectors in terms of value include personal care and beauty, healthy eating, physical activity, wellness tourism and preventive medicine.

How can this data influence tourism and investment?
The official data provided by the GWI offers a solid basis for attracting investment, developing public policies and promoting wellness tourism, enhancing the integrated offer of Italian health, nature and culture.