Alta Thoughts (January 2026)
By Rakesh Patel
The sustainability agenda has faced challenging dynamics recently amid shifting political, regulatory, and economic winds. At Alta Capital, however, our commitment to sustainability and CSR does not fluctuate with the cycle. It remains a core value of our business, grounded in our belief that you can do well while doing good.
In this context, we are pleased to share that our Vikasa Wellness Retreat in Koh Samui has been awarded Travelife certification. Travelife is an internationally recognised and independently audited sustainability programme for hotels, demonstrating a strong commitment to reducing energy and water consumption, supporting local communities, and respecting culture.
In parallel, our Vikasa Wellness Retreat development in Phuket remains on track to achieve an EDGE Advanced rating, with a focus on energy efficiency, water savings, and carbon reduction.
Beyond our assets, we continue our partnership with the Sunshine Village Foundation in Phuket. This year, we will extend our support through additional financial literacy classes based on modules from the Financial Times FTFLIC, and a day trip to Vikasa Wellness Retreat Phuket for the more than 100 children living at the foster home.
We also remain actively engaged with the WSHA (World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance), providing ongoing support and advice as they drive collaborative action across the industry towards a vision of Net Positive Hospitality.
For Alta Capital, sustainability is about long-term value creation – for our investors, partners, communities, and the environments in which we operate.
Below are a few of our recent thoughts posted on LinkedIn. Always good to hear your feedback. You can follow us directly on LinkedIn and go to our website.
The 9 Biggest Wellness Travel Trends of 2026
Wellness travel in 2026 is shifting from clinical optimisation to more human-centred experiences. As one of the fastest-growing travel segments – forecast to exceed $1.4 trillion by 2027 – wellness tourism is evolving beyond biohacking toward connection, restoration and emotional wellbeing.
Travellers are returning to centuries-old healing practices and gentle mysticism, from sound baths to stargazing, alongside social spas, experiential saunas and purpose-driven retreats. Women’s health and multi-generational wellness are also becoming core to how the sector defines wellbeing.
The future of wellness tourism is flexible, inclusive and experience-led. Cultivating purpose is now seen as central to longevity, with travellers seeking meaningful activities that support connection, creativity and long-term wellbeing while still allowing space for rest and enjoyment.
WTTC Recognized China’s Strategic Initiatives Driving Growth in Travel & Tourism
China will become the world’s largest travel & tourism market by 2031, overtaking the US – a defining shift for global tourism. China’s trajectory is now firmly back on track, with demand and confidence largely recovered from pandemic-era disruption.
Travel and tourism already contributes $1.9 trillion to the Chinese economy and is growing 15.8%, which is twice the global rate. Visa-free access, transit policies and infrastructure investment are accelerating inbound travel, boosting spending and restoring international connectivity.
The next phase of growth will be unlocked by expanding air capacity, simplifying visas further, and deepening public-private collaboration, encouraging both business investment and visitor demand.
