Wellness boom in the Gulf drives demand for personalized health solutions

The wellness industry is rapidly expanding in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where consumers are embracing advanced facials, personalized health supplements, and holistic treatments as part of a broader lifestyle shift.

The spa and wellness market across both countries was valued at nearly $1.9 billion in 2024, with analysts projecting growth of more than 8 percent annually in the coming years, according to Global Market Insights.

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Industry experts say the trend reflects not only rising disposable incomes but also government strategies to position the Gulf as a global hub for wellness and tourism.

“A primary factor behind this growth is the government’s strategic efforts towards economic diversification and investment in tourism,” Global Market Insights researchers said in the ‘KSA & UAE Spa Market 2025’ report.

In Saudi Arabia, wellness is a pillar of Vision 2030, with luxury resorts and hospitality projects incorporating immersive retreats, nature-based therapies, and recovery-focused programs.

“Saudi Vision 2030’s goal is to move away from over dependence on oil towards sectors such as tourism and wellness, which is why there is a considerable investment in luxurious spa and wellness tourism infrastructure,” the analysts wrote in the report.

In the UAE, wellness tourism is expected to grow from $5.1 billion in 2022 to $12.5 billion by 2030, driven by demand for integrated health and beauty experiences, according to the ‘UAE Wellness Tourism Market Size & Outlook 2022-2030’ report by Grand View Research.

“The tagline of the UAE being the global wellness destination stems from the growth in the hospitality and tourism industries and supporting governmental policies, branding them as key countries for relaxation and pampering,” the researchers added.

Beyond luxury resorts and spa tourism, new and unconventional wellness practices are quickly making their way into the Gulf market, reflecting consumer appetite for innovation and holistic health experiences.

New trend: Singing bowl facials

Partially driving the boom is the unique and new experiences offered to clients.

For example, a first-of-its-kind facial massage with singing bowls has debuted in Dubai, integrating sound meditation with sculpting facial techniques – positioned to be a 2025–2026 trend.

Sessions have started to run weekly in Dubai since mid-September 2025, already drawing in dozens of eager customers.

“It’s far more than a beauty treatment,” said Elizabeth McClure-Ahmed, Alternative and Holistic Health Therapist and BAST-trained Sound Therapy Practitioner.

“FaceRoom has always championed personalization in facial care,” the studio’s co-founder Evgeniya Sorokina said. “Recognizing the growing popularity of sound therapy, we have seamlessly integrated it into our facial rituals.”

A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine found that just one Tibetan singing-bowl meditation session led to measurable reductions in tension, anger, fatigue, and depression.

Industry forecasts suggest the appeal of sound-based treatments is only set to grow, with the global sound therapy market projected to more than double from $2.54 billion in 2024 to $5.08 billion by 2033, according to Straits Research.

Precision health: Bioniq enters Saudi Arabia

Personalized health is also gaining ground. London-founded Bioniq officially entered Saudi Arabia in 2024 through a strategic alliance with Al Borg Diagnostics, one of the Kingdom’s leading diagnostic providers.

The collaboration makes Bioniq’s 50-parameter blood test panel available in 28 cities across Saudi Arabia, allowing consumers from Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and beyond to access personalized supplement formulas tailored to their individual results.

“After completing a blood test, Al Borg Diagnostics will offer all customers the option to translate their results into a personalized supplement formula made by Bioniq,” the company said in a statement.

Bioniq, founded in 2019, has built one of the world’s most genetically diverse biochemical databases by leveraging anonymized data from over 300,000 members and six million biochemical data points. The company already operates in the UAE and partners with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to advance wellness initiatives.

CEO Vadim Fedotov called the Middle East “one of the fastest-growing regions” for healthcare and wellness, while Al Borg noted it conducts more than 16 million tests annually across its extensive regional network.

IV drips gain traction

Intravenous (IV) drip therapy, once confined to hospitals, is also fast becoming a mainstream wellness service in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

According to Grand View Research, the IV hydration therapy market in Saudi Arabia was valued at $25.3 million in 2023 and is forecast to reach $39.4 million by 2030. In the UAE, the market stood at $15.5 million in 2023 and is projected to grow to $22.9 million by 2030.

Analysts say the rising demand reflects lifestyle stressors, the pursuit of quick energy and hydration, and a shift toward preventive health.

“The Middle East IV hydration therapy market is growing, driven by increasing medical tourism, rising consumer interest in wellness solutions, and the opening of luxury clinics in hubs such as Dubai and Riyadh that offer customized drips for energy, beauty, and recovery,” the analysts noted in the report.

Clinics in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi now market nutrient-infused drips as solutions for fatigue, jet lag, immune support, and skin glow.

Despite the popularity, however, some doctors and medical experts do caution that such treatments often lack enough clinical studies and evidence to prove effectiveness.

Shaping new lifestyles

From sound bowls humming in Dubai studios to data-driven supplements rolling out across Saudi cities, the Gulf’s wellness economy is evolving into something far more expansive than a spa day.

These offerings mirror the region’s larger transformation where government-backed strategies, rising consumer expectations, and a taste for innovation are shaping entirely new lifestyles.

Across the region, wellness is emerging as both a business opportunity and a lifestyle priority, firmly embedded in the Gulf’s growth agenda.

What once sat at the fringes of luxury is now edging into everyday routines.  

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