Andorra's Health Tourism Booms with Wellness and Preventive Care

Montse Gutiérrez, director of Andorra Health Destination, has highlighted the rapid growth of health and wellness tourism in Andorra, attributing it to rising public interest in preventive care and stress relief.

In an interview, Gutiérrez recommended wellness weekends combining stays at quality hotels with thermal baths and forest bathing. She described this sector as booming, driven by demand for both medical tourism—such as treatments for health issues—and preventive options popular among athletes, alongside wellness services for relaxation.

"Andorra has all the ingredients to stand out," she said, pointing to qualified professionals, an enviable natural environment, and a comprehensive offering. However, she noted the country remains underrecognized internationally.

Launched in 2021 by Andorra Business to capitalize on this potential market gap, Andorra Health Destination started with 12 partners and has since expanded to 23. Gutiérrez, who has lived in Andorra for nine years with a background in tourism, has led the initiative from the outset.

Coordinating such diverse members—from five-star hotels to small chiropractic clinics—poses challenges, she acknowledged, requiring flexible promotional strategies.

Recent trends include growing demand for aesthetic treatments in wellness, alongside medical advances like epigenetics and stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis, which has proven effective especially for injured athletes. These procedures require no recovery time, making them ideal for short stays.

Ahead of the Christmas season, requests have surged for sleep improvement programs and nutrition services, teaching healthy eating paired with physical activity.

While skiing remains the flagship attraction, Gutiérrez stressed the need to diversify alongside snow and shopping tourism to fill Andorra year-round.