Already famed as one of England’s leading spa towns, Buxton could be developed into a Wellness centre as part of a business worth $3.7 trillion a year worldwide.
In a challenge set out by the University of Derby, Buxton could become one of the world’s fabled ‘Blue Zones’ – oases of health and happiness where people live to ripe old ages. Okinawa in Japan, Costa Rica’s Nicoya, Sardinia and the Greek island of Icaria are all natural Blue Zones, which have been studied by scientists to discover their secret.
Dr Sarah Rawlinson, Head of Hospitality, Resort and Spa Management, told the University’s Spa, Tourism and Wellness Conference: ‘I would love to launch a project here in Buxton to think about the town becoming an artificial Blue Zone, as it builds on its heritage as a spa and wellness town, particularly as our health system struggles with the number of Baby Boomers reaching old age.
‘Our research has discovered Blue Zones’ secrets are a healthy lifestyle, family connections, social interaction and a sense of meaning to one’s life. We’ve used this to create artificial Blue Zones in the USA and the Netherlands, where workplace absenteeism and healthcare costs have been reduced.
‘Buxton’s Crescent is currently being redeveloped as a five-star hotel with the latest spa services – now is the time for the town to capitalise on the growing demand for holidays that restore people’s mind, body and spirit. Wellness is something which is increasingly important to our national agenda.’
The Government has recognised Wellness, with its mix of lifestyle changes and emotional therapies such as mindfulness, as a tool to reduce the cost to society of obesity, a growing lack physical of fitness and increasing mental health issues. But it’s also big business, with an estimated 17.8 million people a year booking Wellness holidays worldwide.
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