Anne Biging is co-founder of Healing Hotels of the World. Anne has a successful track record of over 20 years experience in international tourism destination marketing, public relations and hotel consulting.

Prior to joining the tourism industry, Anne was a journalist and author travelling the world. For many years, she learned about health and well-being through the study of yoga, meditation, ancient Indian scriptures and several healing techniques.

Being a global traveller for two decades prompted her search for the perfect places to stay, enjoy, relax, learn, transform and heal. These experiences were the basis or “seed” for creating this unique brand Healing Hotels of the World. Anne is supported and inspired by a team of internationally renowned spa and health professionals.

L&S: Healing Hotels Of The World caters to a niche clientele. What was the main motivation behind forming this group?
AB: My quest for a holistic lifestyle led me to a spiritual path 20 years ago and I discovered a deeper meaning of life: understanding life as a journey to unfold my inherent perfection. From that time on I took complete responsibility for myself, my body, my mind and my soul, understanding their interconnectedness.

In my previous position, I was the owner of an international tourism marketing organization working with destinations and luxury hotels around the world. In the early 90’s I watched the first resorts for wellbeing and health coming on the scene. Being on a holistic path myself, I realized that these resorts are powerful places for transformation and the avant-garde of a new lifestyle – making the experience and knowledge of a deeper and new understanding of life available to a wide clientele.

In 2006 I decided together with my business partner to create the brand Healing Hotels of the World as a reliable source of wellbeing for the guest and to support the hotels, who want to become a perfect healing hotel. The core of our business model is a focus on holistic wellbeing. The strong growth of the global spa industry is a clear indicator that we are on the right track.

L&S: The group's portfolio consists of 67 luxurious hotels and resorts around the world. How would a property qualify to become a Healing Hotel?
AB: Our mission is to select the finest, most beautiful and exclusive Healing Hotels of the World and to guarantee a stay that provides an exclusive, high level holistic healing experience.
For a hotel to be truly healing many factors are important. It is not enough to have a spa in conjunction with a hotel. For us a healing hotel consists of many parts that - like the instruments in an orchestra playing harmonious together - create a whole that is more than its parts. In a hotel they create a flow that is truly magic. We have a strict set of criteria covering all areas of a hotel. Based on these criteria we choose the partner hotels very carefully, thus ensuring an organic growth of the company. Being in the tourism industry for so long we know that one thing counts in the long run: Quality. The success of the partner hotels of Healing Hotels of the World shows that this is what the consumer wants.

Our criteria are categorized under atmosphere, guest services, accommodation/housekeeping, wellness concept, wellness, fitness programs, food and beverages, HR, environment/facilities and social responsibility. To pick out two of them I want to mention our emphasis on health cuisine and the necessity of personal consultancy to create a tailor made program for each guest.

L&S: Since forming the group, have you noticed any shifts in preferred healing practices?
AB: Quite a number of our partner hotels nowadays offer spiritual wellness and healing. This approach is based on the understanding that every person has an intact core and that everyone has the longing to experience this inner happiness. Another factor of spiritual wellness and health is the increasing number of energy healing practises that are very effective even in a short period of time, like Cranio Sacral for example. Our partner hotels combine these practices with western medicine and other more physical treatments as holistic means the connectedness of body, mind and soul.

Also a different view on ageing is on the rise. Where people used to talk about “anti-ageing” more and more people are now talking about “healthy ageing”. The latter promotes a different view on the ageing process, which should not be stopped but accompanied by treatments and therapies that support a healthy lifestyle, rejuvenation and vitality.

L&S: Does this also apply to guests preferences, requirements and expectations?
AB: Yes. Guests expect real and long-lasting changes in their wellbeing and health and not just “quick fix pampering”. They want lifestyle consultancy and learn how to live a happier life. They want to learn how to change their eating habits and how to keep a healthier lifestyle when they are back home. Sometimes they are looking for health destinations in times of crisis: but they are not only looking how to get their health back but for something that gives deeper meaning for their lives.

Healing Hotels of the World caters for exactly those needs: They are competence centers for holistic health: here you find the leading experts who know about the interconnectedness of body , mind and soul and can give you help and advice for your physical wellbeing as well as an understanding about emotional live patterns. They are the avant-garde of a more conscious lifestyle.

L&S: On a personal note, how do you spend your vacation time? Do you have a preferred Healing Hotel?
AB: I enjoy each of our partner hotels very much and it is hard to pick a favourite. Depending on the time of the year, the phase in my life and my own individual state, I prefer different hotels. The beauty of this brand is that we cater for so many different aspects of holistic health and healing, so that as many people as possible can find their ideal resort for their own personal healing journey.
What I can say is that the idea to create a brand like Healing Hotels of the World, came to me at the Ananda In The Himalayas.

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