By PHILIP MWAKIO

KENYA: Kenya’s idyllic Lamu Island is fast emerging as a wellness tourism destination. This is after the country’s top tourism marketer; Kenya Tourism Board endorsed it as an ideal location.  Come March next year, Lamu will be playing host to the first ever East Africa Yoga Festival.

 Pioneer organisers  says the event will run from March 13 to 16, 2014. The Lamu Yoga Festival Chairperson, Ms Monica Fauth, in a statement, said that  the event will bring together international Yoga teachers  and practitioners from Kenya and around the globe.

 “This unique festival blends Yoga and meditation with the general characteristics of Lamu island. It is immersed in its people, culture, tradition and natural beauty,’’ she said. 

Fauth who is also a co-director at Banana House Resort said Yoga is an ancient physical and mental exercise with huge health benefits. “Its access to harmony and peaceful co-existence has turned into a popular practice worldwide,’’ she said.

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 Fauth added that during the festivals, a variety of yoga classes will be available in Shela, Lamu and Manda. Other highlights will include dhow race, workshops, fun competitions and a grand finale beach party with  the exotic Lamu  drummers  and acrobats.

Fauth noted that the surging interest in healthy lifestyles, coupled with the desire for “experiential” travel, is contributing to the growth of the wellness tourism market.  “Todays discerning travellers and consumers are using vacations to jump-start a health regimen, detox from a digital word, and learn healthier behaviors,’’ she said.

 Fauth observed that while wellness-focused vacations are one of the hottest trends globally, travel agents need to up the game to promote ideal locations such as Lamu  by marketing the wellness travel package.

 Camille Hoheb, wellness travel industry expert and founder of Wellness Tourism Worldwide is quoted in a recent Wellness global report as saying, “The multi-dimensionality of wellness opens the door to a whole new world. This forecast will encourage consumers and business to think of vacation travel in new ways, she said.

Hoheb is also the editor of the Wellness Travel Journal. Global travel data shows that consumers view vacations as an important way to improve health, happiness and productivity.

Vacation trips are often a catalyst for transformation and consumers view wellness travel as a personal investment.

“The Lamu Yoga Festival wishes to bring people together across cultures and religion. It will offer practitioners the opportunity to experience Yoga under the guidance of various teachers,” explained Fauth. “With miles of empty beaches, no cars, and abundant fresh sea foods and produce, Lamu makes an ideal destination to leave behind the stresses of a fast paced modern life,’’ said Fauth.