You can’t scroll online at the moment without seeing something about the rise of wellness travel. And they’re not exaggerating, the Global Wellness Institute valued the wellness tourism sector at $651 billion last year, with growth projected to reach the trillions in the next few years.

Searches for wellness retreats, yoga holidays, and fitness escapes have all surged. More people than ever want meaningful breaks that support their physical and mental wellbeing.

Retreats, when done well, can be genuinely transformative. Space to breathe, move, rest, reset and I’m all for it.

But as with any growing industry, there’s another side we need to acknowledge: this pace of growth means more people are jumping in without fully understanding what they’re stepping into.

Not maliciously.

Not recklessly.

Often just through innocence, enthusiasm, or seeing others do it and assuming it must be straightforward.

The problem is… hosting a retreat isn’t just hosting an event.

It’s selling travel.

And travel is a regulated industry.

This is where things can start to unravel.

Because unlike fitness - where anyone can (and does)wake up one day and declare themselves a wellness expert, travel has actual laws attached to it. Package Travel Regulations which exist to protect both the guest and the provider. They’re there for a reason: people are paying a lot of money, and they deserve protection.

Yet many retreat hosts don’t realise that the moment they sell a package (accommodation + activity), they’re legally considered a tour operator/seller of travel. And that comes with responsibilities - financial protection, approved suppliers, compliant booking terms, accurate advertising, and so on.

Ignoring that isn’t a branding issue.

It’s a legal one.

And unintentionally stepping into a regulated space without the correct structures is where people can end up vulnerable professionally, financially, and reputationally.

So with the rise of wellness retreats, are we going to see more people unintentionally “winging it”?

Probably, unless there’s more education, more support, and clearer guidance around what hosting a retreat actually involves.

And that’s exactly why the Retreat Standards Organisation exists.

How RSO supports the guest:

When you book an RSO accredited retreat, You’re booking a retreat that has been vetted and meets industry standards.

– Your money is protected.

– You have clarity around what you’re buying.

– You’re booking through a registered (and compliant) seller of travel

How RSO supports the host:

– We walk you through what you need to legally run a retreat.

– We help you select legitimate, insured, trustworthy suppliers.

– We give you a framework so your retreat is safe, financially protected, and stress-free.

– We protect your brand by ensuring your retreat is run professionally and sustainably

The rise in wellness travel is exciting.

It’s an opportunity for incredible experiences, community, rest, and transformation.

But for the industry to grow well, it needs standards, transparency, and support behind the scenes.

Most people get into retreat hosting because they want to help others, not because they want to accidentally fall foul of travel law. And thankfully, with the right systems and the right guidance, they don’t have to.

RSO exists so hosts feel confident, guests feel safe, and the industry develops with integrity rather than overwhelm.