Retreats have become a mainstream way to travel. In the BookRetreats.com State of Retreats 2026 survey of 1,040 U.S. travellers, 64% said they already had a retreat planned in the next 12 months. These statistics cover who is planning retreats, why, and how much they plan to spend on wellness.
- 164% of U.S. travellers surveyed have a retreat planned in the next 12 months.
- 2Gen X is the most likely generation to be planning a retreat (73%), ahead of Gen Z (68%) and Millennials (66%).
- 3Rest and relaxation is the top motivation, cited by 62% of travellers.
Retreat plans by generation
Gen X leads on retreat plans, with 73% planning a retreat in the next 12 months. Gen Z follows at 68%, and 28% of Gen Z travellers plan to book their first retreat in 2026. Baby Boomers are the least likely generation to be planning one.
of U.S. travellers surveyed have a retreat planned in the next 12 months.
of Gen X travellers plan a retreat, the highest of any generation.
Why people go on retreats
| Motivation | Share of travellers |
|---|---|
| Rest and relaxation | 62% |
| Mental health and wellbeing | 37% |
| Recovering from stress and burnout | 35% |
| Connecting with nature | 25% |
| Physical health and fitness | 17% |
Planned wellness spending in 2026
Retreats top the list of wellness spending plans, ahead of spa treatments and supplements.
| Planned spending | Share of travellers |
|---|---|
| Retreats | 49% |
| Spa and wellness treatments | 45% |
| Supplements and vitamins | 44% |
| Gym or studio memberships | 36% |
| Mental health therapy | 34% |
| Wellness tech | 14% |
| App subscriptions | 12% |
What travellers want from a retreat
Interest is broad. 91% of travellers are interested in connection-focused retreats and 65% in creative or skill-building retreats. Among nature retreat seekers, 58% want quiet time outdoors.
Retreat costs
Average retreat prices vary widely by U.S. state. Hawaii averages $3,053 per retreat and Illinois $446, a 6.8x gap. Wisconsin ($497) is among the most affordable states.
Methodology: online survey of 1,040 U.S. adults aged 18 or older who are interested in retreat travel and are the sole or joint travel decision-maker in their household, conducted December 2025 to January 2026, combined with BookRetreats.com search and booking data.
Sources
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