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Wellness tourism is . Think yoga retreats in Bali, digital detox weekends in a rainforest, or a break on a luxury island to "."

It's no longer just about taking selfies at the beach or in front of Instagrammable landmarks. Travelers today want to invest in activities aimed at improving their mental, spiritual and physical . And, they're willing to pay for these experiences.

Global spending on wellness tourism is projected to hit by 2027. Rather than being a , spending in this sector is forecast to nearly . This is big business.

The Wellness Tourism Association says report wellness activities are an essential part of their travel itineraries.

Behind the lux retreat

But, while holidaymakers pursue their zen, the workforce is largely overlooked. The massage therapists, spa staff, yoga instructors and retreat hosts—often —frequently experience substandard, undignified working conditions.

Our new report, , examines an often overlooked part of the wellness industry. We propose a model to shift the industry from "dirty to decent" in line with the United Nations' sustainable development goal eight supporting

The were adopted by all UN member states in 2015. They support ending poverty and other deprivations as part of improving health and education, reducing inequality and encouraging economic growth—while tackling climate change and protecting the environment. These goals are designed to help businesses and governments develop sustainable and inclusive economies.

Progress towards decent work in wellness tourism is undermined by workers in some cases facing low pay, insecure employment and .

Wellness is often viewed as , rather than skilled or professional. Workers are expected to be calm, warm and nurturing, as well as emotionally available while juggling demanding workloads and unpredictable hours.

Weak regulation

Gaps in standards and regulations leave workers vulnerable. For example, has raised concerns about exploitative contracting and loose employment arrangements. Without regulated certification, enforcement of fair contracts, and professional recognition, many workers experience underemployment or unsafe conditions.

Research shows workers at some spas even describe their roles as feeling uncomfortably close to , especially in settings where the boundaries are blurred and expectations can cross a moral line.

The case of the penalized for underpaying migrant workers and reports of Asian massage therapists being asked regularly for reflect the devaluation and gendered risks for this workforce.

Sociologists call this —jobs that are not physically messy but carry an emotional or moral burden. And while these roles are pivotal to customers' experiences, the people doing them are often invisible. This makes it even harder to push for .

Proposed changes

To improve the wellness industry's sustainability and fairness, our research proposes three key changes.

On an individual level, workers need to be empowered. Workers who have a connection with their job will gain personal fulfillment from helping clients with their health and relaxation. Satisfied workers means .

However, workers should also receive external support to help improve job satisfaction.

For example, management regularly reinforcing the value of staff to a business can enhance a worker's sense of dignity. Additionally, protecting workers from such threats as immoral requests by customers is key to cultivating the sense of a safe and dignified workplace.

At the macro-level, policies, social structures and public perceptions shape how wellness work is valued. Without professional accreditation or recognition, these jobs will remain undervalued. Broader changes, like government reforms and public campaigns, would lift professional recognition and support dignity.

Employees' should be examined. Decent work—as per the UN sustainable development goals—means providing fair pay, safe environments, recognition and genuine opportunities for employees to develop and thrive at work.

Also, investing in better benefits everyone, whether workers, businesses or customers.

As , said, "I don't think wellness is a fad, but rather it's a change in society, and what society now expects."

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.