Diving in to Q2
TRenD: Wellness
Ecoventura Embracing Holistic Wellness
A Mother Earth Retreat
Heading into this year, all of the major trend reports reached the same conclusion: Wellness is no longer a niche travel trend and has moved to mainstay. However, it is getting a bit of a reboot…
Travel + Leisure predicted the segment would be most influenced by “bio-hacking technologies, hyper-personalized experiences and new experimental offerings.” While all of this sounds highly complex, thankfully, all these fancy terms really mean is that wellness, in a way, is going back to the basics — concentrating on making mindful adjustments in everyday life and diet that will lead to positive improvements in overall and long-term health.
We are excited for the launch of Ecoventura’s first wellness departure this summer, leveraging Mother Nature as the ultimate wellness guru. Tapping into this year’s wellness trends while taking optimal advantage of the natural wellness benefits the Ecoventura experience already provides guests, we know the team has a plan for these new specialty sails, but we wanted to be sure to provide a few more programming suggestions for the new itinerary in addition to those we’ve previously suggested, including:
Silent snorkeling - An underwater meditation and reflection experience
“Earthing” Hike - An optional barefoot hike that allows for intentional connection with the earth under your feet
A sea-side sound bath - Immerse yourself in the once-in-a-lifetime natural symphony of the Galapagos islands
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Journaling
Journaling is another self-care practice that is very “in” this year — the simple act of writing down your thoughts and feelings daily can help you process emotions, identify patterns, and set intentions. It has been scientifically proven that a few minutes each morning or night is enough to foster clarity and emotional balance. We recommend handing each wellness retreat guest a beautiful journal made out of recycled paper at the beginning of the departure and designating recommended “journal” hours every day of the trip to introduce this new habit into guests’ every day life.
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Post Office Positive Affirmations
Another major trend in the self-case and mental wellness space is the simple implementation of positive affirmations — the act of repeating kind, uplifting phrases to yourself, such as "I am capable" or "I deserve happiness." The habit has been proven to help rewire your mindset over time, so we’d recommend having each guest set one at the beginning of their trip that they can refer back to as a mantra, writing it down on two postcards. Then in true Galapagos fashion, they can mail these positive affirmations back home, one to themselves and one to someone else who they want to send love to, all the way from Floreana Island!
SAMPLE MEDIA TARGETS
Spa & Beauty Today - WANDER Magazine - RETREAT Magazine - AFAR
Brand Ideas
WELLESS Partners To Consider
Keeping up with the wellness trend as it applies to wellness departures AND beyond, we think that partners like Oura Ring or UltraHuman could be ideal brand fits thanks to their voyage-enhancing product that could only elevate the already unforgettable Ecoventura experience.
Known in the industry as leaders and pioneers at the helm of the “bio-hacking” movement, both brands offer wearable and fashionable wellness accessories that analyze your body’s response to sleep, the environment and your biological well-being 24/7. Given that our Galapagos departures are known to be immersive voyages associated with active engagement with the destination and refuge from the stress of everyday life, we think that a health tracking ring could be an excellent tool for guests to track biometric markers such as their steps, stress levels and sleep patterns so that they can optimize them over the course of their trip and apply healthy habits once they return home.
We also see the rings as a potential upsell available for purchase ahead of a guest’s departure or available for rental while guests are onboard, with the option to purchase one to take home or pre-order. Alternatively, this could be a potential new differentiator that could be included within the price of Wellness Departures exclusively (built into the price of the specialty sails).
Beyond just fitness rings, we could look at additional brand partners for the wellness departures+ to bring in their audience’s visibility, bringing attention to Ecoventura. Brand examples include potential partners like Tevas, who we think could have a natural brand synergy to enhance the guest experience.
TIMELINE: aligned with Wellness departures
POtential partnership
A U.S. GOPRO Ambassador Adventure
We know that Ecoventura has previously collaborated with South American GoPro delegates. However, Diamond recommends leveraging our agency relationships with the U.S. ambassadors to strengthen that brand partnership and elevate Ecoventura’s visibility within the American GoPro community.
Whether it be an individual or a press trip, Diamond suggests coordinating a visit before the end of 2025, ideally having an ambassador aboard a sail with a younger, more active crowd to maximize the opportunity.
TIMELINE: SUMMER / FALL 2025
INDIVIDUAL Media Sails
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Meena Thirguvendam, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, AD, Lonely Planet, USA Today and more
Complete: Mar 30 - April 6
Other available upcoming sails…
JULY 13-20 (A)
JULY 27-03 AUG (A)
AUG 10-17 (A) - Porthole Cruise & Travel’s Steve Leland may be interested
AUG 24-31 (A) - *Wellness
SEP 07-14 (A)
SEP 21-28 (A)
SEP 28-05 OCT (B)
NOV 02-09 (A)
NOV 16-23 (A)
NOV 30-07 DEC (A)
Other pending media opportunities and feedback:
Haute Living (New York, LA & Miami) - Editor-in-Chief Laura Scheffler interested but only if we can cover airfare
TravelAge West - Editor Kelly Rosenfeld open to visits
Following up with Erin Michelle Newberg and Tim Chan - airfare required
THIS QUARTER’S OTHER
Pitch ANGLES
Agency will focus on evergreen storytelling angles, but will also pitch ideas based on timely trends, news, and holidays, including but not limited to….
Short lead
Earth Day Flash Sale (April 22)
Trend: Solo Summer Travel for Women
Most Unforgettable Honeymoon Destinations
Bucket List Wildlife Safaris
Long lead
Where to Go… (Fall/Winter)
Fall Culinary Departures
Start thinking about: Holiday Gift Guides 2025
Still Trending
Agency will also continue to focus on some of last quarter’s main angles that continue to be hot and trending topics in travel, such as:
Spontaneous Travel Offer
Charter Your Family’s Way Through the Galapagos - tying into Summer Travel
“Sustainability by the Numbers”