Jared Kaltwasser

“Wellness travel” is close to becoming a half-billion-dollar industry, according to 

Spafinder Wellness 365, a marketing and incentives company within the wellness travel niche, says the global market is now estimated at $494 billion, with growth around the globe.

“The survey confirms what we have recognized for several years,” said John Bevan,” chief operating officer of the company. “Growth in wellness travel is outpacing traditional travel as people recognize the importance of healthier options. The hospitality and travel industries need to pay attention to the fact that this is a travel sector that cannot be ignored.”

Wellness travel is loosely defined as health-oriented travel, designed to improve or revitalize one’s physical, mental, or spiritual health. The classic wellness activity is going to a spa. However, the Spafinder Wellness 365 survey found only about 1 in 5 wellness-focused travelers were focusing their trips on spas.

The survey was conducted among more than 200 travel agents in North America and Europe. A large majority — 86% – said they expect to see growth in wellness

travel this year. The western US, including Hawaii, is the most popular region for domestic wellness travel. Internationally, Asia generally, and Thailand, India, and Bali in particular, were seen as growth areas. Costa Rice was the top destination in the Americas.

This is all good news for the travel industry, not only because wellness travel is on the rise, but also because wellness travelers tend to be willing to pay more for their experiences. Some 83% of survey respondents said their customers are willing to pay a premium for health-focused travel.   

“Today, wellness travel reaches far beyond traditional spa experiences, and the survey reveals a savvy new traveler, one that demands an extremely wide range of healthier experiences, from check in to check out, said Mia Kyricos, the chief brand officer at the company Spafinder Wellness. 

Articles

"Wellness travel" is close to becoming a half-billion-dollar industry, according to a new report.

'Wellness Travel' Market Booming

When it comes to credit cards, most Americans are engaging in a whole lot of wishful thinking, according to a new survey.

, a credit card comparison website, found most Americans believe they use their credit cards responsibly despite the fact that more than one-third have more than four credit cards and one-fifth of respondents have more than $5,000 in credit card debt.

“Even though more than half of respondents don’t fully pay off their credit cards on a monthly basis, they believe they are using them responsibly,” said Chris Mettler, the founder of CompareCards. “This is concerning, as it reveals that many consumers may not be aware of just how much their spending habits impact their credit and long-term debt.”

The study is based on the credit card spending habits of some 4,400 consumers.

A whopping 71% of respondents said they use their credit cards “responsibly.” And many, in fact, do. One-quarter of survey respondents had less than $100 in total credit card debt and 35% said they pay their credit card balances in full each billing cycle.

Still, 42% of respondents said they had multiple credit cards with a balance, and 31% said they “never” or “almost never” pay their balances in full when they receive their monthly statements.

The new report comes as Americans’ overall credit card debt appears to be back on the rise. Total outstanding credit card debt in the US is expected to reach $900 billion this year, which translates into about $7,800 in credit card debt per household, 

, another credit card information service. 

Study: Americans Have Unrealistic Views of Credit Card Habits

America's aging infrastructure means traffic jams are becoming more and more common on America's roads and highways. But there's another option, one that's also gaining in popularity. Biking to work.

Biking to work gives you exercise, fresh air, and the piece of mind of knowing you're contributing to clearner air. However, it's not always such an easy task. 

An 2014 report by the Governors Highway Safety Association found cyclist fatalities increased by 16% between 2010 and 2012, from 621 deaths to 722 deaths. The association found that the problem is particularly prevalent in urban settings.

The good news is that more communities are becoming “bicycle friendly.” The League of American Bicyclists, which awards a “Bicycle Friendly Community” designation to communities that meet certain cycling safety and accessibility benchmarks, found the number of people regularly commuting to work rose 105% in large cities with the “Bicycle Friendly” designation between 2000 and 2013.

Bicycle friendliness has also become a factor in real estate, as many workers seek to shorten their commutes when they buy a house. While cycling doesn’t necessarily shorten commuting time, it can significantly reduce stress, but only if the path to work is safe.

Earlier this year, the real estate website 

 released its 2015 rankings of the “Most Bikeable Cities” in the US. The site looked at 154 cities and more than 10,000 neighborhoods. The list is based on cities with populations of 300,000 or more.

“Many of my clients don’t own cars,” said Clayton Jirak, a Redfin agent in Chicago. “They search for condo buildings with dedicated, secure bike rooms in proximity to bike lanes and major trails around Chicago.”

Redfin’s ranking includes 4 components: bike lanes, hills, destinations and road connectivity, and the share of local commuters who get to work by bike. Those factors translate into a scale of 0-100, with 100 being the most bike-friendly.

Below are the Top 10 cities on Redfin’s list. Included with each city are the score (out of 100) it received from Redfin, the city’s population, and the percentage of commuters in the city who bike to work. The latter are based on American Community Survey data compiled by the League of American Bicyclists.

The Top 10 Cities for Cyclists

What makes a city a great place to live? The answer can vary depending on a person’s generation.

When it comes to Millennials, which The Nielsen Company defines as those born between 1977 and 1995, 

cities are more popular than the suburbs, and plentiful transportation options are a must

 recently tried to take those and other desired traits to determine which cities best fit the needs of adults age 35 and under. The site looked at the 100 most populous cities in the US, scoring them in 8 “livability” categories: Demographics, Housing, Jobs, Food, Entertainment, “Night Out” costs, “Getting Around” (transportation), and “Appeal.”

The result is a diverse list of cities, including cities on both coasts and cities with populations ranging from several million to just a quarter-million.

Below are the Top 9 cities on Vocativ’s list, as well as a summary of their highest and lowest categories, and population data from the US Census Bureau.

Lowest Ranking Category: Demographics (80)

The state capital of Wisconsin boasts relatively cheap housing and an inexpensive nightlife. However, the city doesn’t do so well in terms of demographics, a category that includes diversity and number of young singles. The city also had low scores for its food offerings.

Lowest Ranking Category: Entertainment (62)

If Madison isn’t your style, you could always move a bit west to another state capital. The eastern half of the Twin Cities has abundant jobs and housing, as well as good food and a good nightlife. However, its score is dragged down by its demographics and paltry entertainment offerings.

Lowest Ranking Category: Demographics (97)

Football fans have good reason to want to live in Seattle, but Vocativ found the city is also full of great food and entertainment options, as well as plenty of jobs. It’s near the bottom of the list when it comes to demographics and housing.

 twin city is the top city for the 35-and-under set when it comes to jobs. However, it’s in the middle of the pack for housing, and in the bottom half when it comes to food, demographics, overall appeal, and the cost of a night out.

Lowest Ranking Category: Entertainment (54)

Austin is another great job market for young adults. It also boasts a cheap nightlife and top-tier food. The city scores less well when it comes to entertainment options, and “appeal”—the livability index.

The Mile High City has the cheapest beer in the nation, helping it score highly in the “night out” category. Its food, entertainment, and jobs scores also benefitted the city’s rank. Demographics, housing and ease of getting around hurt the city’s scores, although the city is still in the middle of the pack in those categories.

San Francisco’s high and low categories are probably obvious to most readers. The city has great food, but housing is hard to find and very expensive. However, the city also has plentiful jobs, a solid public transportation city, and high appeal.

Lowest Ranking Category: Demographics (82)

If you asked most people to name the big cities in Texas, it’s likely many wouldn’t even think of Arlington, the less-well-known neighbor of Dallas/Fort Worth. The city’s main claim to fame is its sports arenas, facts that helped the city score reasonably well in the entertainment category. But Vocativ found Arlington’s the best city in Texas for young adults, flush with jobs, good food, and cheap nightlife.

Highest Ranking Category: Getting Around (1)

Again, few surprises here. New York City calls out to many young adults due to the city’s exciting entertainment options, great food, and diversity. One thing the city doesn’t have is a cheap cost of living, thus its low scores for housing, and nightlife costs.

What makes a city a great place to live? The answer can vary depending on a person's generation. These cities are the best bets for people 35 and under.

The 9 Best Cities for People Under 35

A new survey finds older Americans, and low-income older Americans in particular, often forgo regular check-ups and receive little oral health information from other caregivers.

The survey, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Oral Health America, found more than half of low-income seniors haven’t seen a dentist in the past year. The reason? Usually, it came down to a lack of dental insurance or money.

Meanwhile, primary care physicians and other providers often ignore oral health concerns. Nearly three-quarters (71%) of respondents said their doctor “rarely or never” talks to them about how medications might affect their oral health. Two-thirds (66%) said the same about their pharmacist.

“Older Americans deserve to have the resources they need to maintain a healthy mouth as they age,” said Beth Truett, the president and CEO of OHA. “Mouth health impacts overall health, especially for older adults, and those with poor oral health face increased obstacles of keeping their teeth, avoiding gum disease, and staying active and independent.”

OHA is in the midst of launching its annual “Fall for Smiles” public awareness campaign, which stresses the importance of brushing, flossing, regular dental visits, avoiding smoking, and other oral health issues.

This year’s Fall for Smiles is focused on older Americans. The organization will unveil a new study on the topic later this year.

found only 2% of Baby Boomers have access to dental insurance through their former employers when they retire

. Nearly 70% of older Americans don’t have dental insurance, a fact that greatly reduces the likelihood they’ll seek regular dental care.  

Older Americans Lack Access to Oral Health Checkups, Information

Travelers looking to make last-minute Labor Day trips are in luck, according to a major travel booking website.

Expedia says travelers can expect significant last-minute savings to a number of popular locales. Labor Day weekend flights to Cancun, Mexico are about 10% cheaper this year, compared to 2014. So are flights to Miami. Travelers headed to Los Angeles and Washington, DC, can expect savings of about 9%, the website says.

All of those cities are in the Top 10 Labor Day destinations, according to Expedia’s booking data. The overall Top 5 Labor Day destinations, according to the site, are (in order): Las Vegas, New York City, Cancun, Orlando, and Chicago.

Overall, the best flight deals for the Labor Day season are in Toronto, Mexico City, and Cleveland, where travelers can enjoy savings of 27%, 25%, and 22%, respectively.

However, travelers hoping to go greater distances will also find savings.

“The favorable exchange rates we’ve seen this summer are a welcome relief for travelers looking to experience Europe,” said Ingrid Belobradic, a senior editor at Expedia. “Coupled with the already great promotions available, we’re seeing opportunities for strong savings this Labor Day across international and domestic destinations.”

The site says hotel rates in Barcelona, Spain are down about 20% in US dollars thanks to exchange rate changes. Hotels in Florence, Italy are down 5% this summer.

And if all of this talk of savings is enticing you to book a last-minute vacation, you’re not alone. Expedia’s analysis of 2014 booking data showed that only 20% of eventual Labor Day travelers had booked their flights and hotels by July. The rest waited until the final weeks.

Labor Day Travelers Find Last-Minute Savings

When it comes to fixing teeth spacing, the American Association of Orthodontists has a clear message: Don’t try this at home.

The organization has launched a public service announcement ad campaign warning patients of the serious damage that can occur with do-it-yourself dental procedures. The ads are in response to a spate of new products, do-it-yourself YouTube videos and online tutorials that purport to solve problems like gaps between front teeth without the aid of a dental professional.

Trying such methods is only asking for trouble, the AAO says.

“The AAO is committed to the health and safety of the public, and I urge anyone considering any type of teeth straightening procedure to see an orthodontic specialist,” said Morris N. Poole, DDS, the AAO’s president.

Such at-home remedies include $5 rubber bands that supposedly will pull teeth closer together, or dental floss techniques designed to do the same. Even if they succeed in closing a gap, the AAO warns they could cause changes in the bite or simply create other gaps. They also warn of the dangers of forgotten rubber bands and the possibility that such techniques could eventually require the patient to undergo much more extensive and costly dental procedures to fix the problem.

The 18,000-member organization makes a point of noting that orthodontists receive additional training to become specialists in their field.

The ads are set to run on radio and television stations, but they’re also available on YouTube. Below is the 60-second version of the TV spot.

The ads refer viewers and listeners to the AAO’s website, where they can search for an orthodontist in their area.

“The risks associated with ‘do it yourself’ orthodontics can, and should be, avoided,” Poole said.

When it comes to fixing teeth spacing, the American Association of Orthodontists has a clear message: Don't try this at home.


AAO to Patients: Don't Try Do-It-Yourself Orthodontics

Perhaps the stereotype that the British have bad teeth has some truth to it after all.

new study from the UK’s Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)

 says half of British adults haven’t been to a dentist in the last two years. Only 60% of British children saw a dentist in the year ending March 31, according to the data.

Professor Nigel Hunt, dean of the faculty of Dental Surgery at London’s 

, said the data reveal a “decade of inertia” when it comes to dental care.

“It’s appalling that tooth decay remains the most common reason why five- to nine-year-olds are admitted to hospital; in some cases for multiple tooth extractions under general anaesthetic — despite tooth decay being almost entirely preventable,” Hunt said, in prepared comments issued by the college.

He called on the British government to launch an urgent review and public awareness campaign to encourage more Brits to get regular dental check-ups.

On this side of Atlantic, the numbers are better—though not by much.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013 found just over 60% of adults had visited the dentist in the past year. The numbers are better when it comes to children. Four out of five children (83%) had seen the dentist the previous year.

However, the CDC also found that dental health varied widely based on racial and socioeconomic factors. For instance, about 31% of US adults earning incomes at a level above the federal poverty line had complete tooth retention. Only 15% of those living below the poverty line had the same.

Britain’s dental care, like its other healthcare offerings, is largely provided by the National Health Service. However, the Royal College of Surgeons suggested that the lack of regular dental care in the country was partly due to patient difficult accessing NHS dentists. It was also due to patient complacency, the college suggested.

New data released by the British government reveal a striking number of British adults haven't been to the dentist in the past two years.