As wellness tourism continues to evolve beyond relaxation and rejuvenation, a new paradigm is emerging, one that blends science, sustainability, and the art of living well. At the forefront of this evolution is ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea, Europe’s most advanced health and wellness destination. David de Cubas, Health Director at ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea speaks about their Mediterranean Longevity philosophy that combines cutting-edge medicine with mindful living. In this conversation with ArabiaTravelNews.com, he explains how ZEM is transforming the concept of wellness travel into a life-enhancing journey where luxury, longevity, and holistic wellbeing meet.
Q: Wellness tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel today. How do you see “longevity” fitting into this trend?
Longevity is the natural next step in wellness tourism. Travellers today seek more than a short-term escape; they want transformative experiences with measurable impact on long-term health. Time is now seen as the ultimate luxury, and in that sense, longevity is redefining the future of wellness travel.
At the heart of ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea lies our ZEM Philosophy – a conscious process where longevity is not just a goal, but a celebration of life itself. Our Mediterranean Longevity approach goes beyond relaxation. It’s about equipping guests with tools, treatments, and lifestyle practices that extend their healthiest years of life.
Q: How is longevity-focused wellness different from traditional wellness tourism? Why is it so relevant today?
Traditional wellness tourism often emphasizes spa treatments, relaxation, or detox. Longevity-focused wellness takes a science-led, preventive approach. We use advanced diagnostics, integrative nutrition, and personalized medicine to address the root causes of ageing and imbalance.
It’s gaining relevance because today’s luxury travellers see health as the ultimate form of wealth. They want meaningful, lasting results; not just to feel good during their stay, but to return home transformed and equipped for long-term wellbeing.
Q: What role do emerging fields like regenerative medicine, integrative nutrition, and biohacking play in redefining luxury wellness experiences for today’s travellers?
These fields are leading the shift from reactive to proactive healthcare. At ZEM, regenerative medicine (including cellular regeneration), microbiota analysis, and integrative nutrition based on the Mediterranean diet are core pillars of our programmes. We also integrate biohacking technologies such as cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and metabolic analysis throughout the guest journey. For luxury travellers, this creates a new dimension of wellness as well as offers exclusive access to advanced science in a serene Mediterranean retreat. Our science-backed longevity programmes blend medicine, mindfulness, and sustainability, leaving guests rebalanced, revitalized, and empowered to extend their healthiest years.
Q: ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea is described as Europe’s most advanced health and wellness clinic. What makes your Mediterranean Longevity approach unique compared to other destinations?
Inspired by regions where people regularly live past 100, ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea is a gateway to living to 120 – with energy and clarity. Our uniqueness lies in uniting three worlds under one roof:
Medical precision: 25 clinical specialities, advanced diagnostics, and regenerative therapies.
Mediterranean lifestyle: personalized nutrition from our organic farm, architecture inspired by Alhambra, and natural healing environments. At our Salvia restaurant, guests enjoy fine-dining Mediterranean cuisine rooted in wellness and sustainability. Most ingredients come from Finca Althaya, our 75,000 sqm organic farm, with the rest sourced locally.
Luxury hospitality: an 85-room, 10-suite Grand Luxury Hotel at the foot of Sierra de Bernia, where privacy, design, and service meet the expectations of discerning travellers.
This fusion of science, culture, and Mediterranean soul makes ZEM truly unparalleled worldwide.
Q: You mention bringing “science and soul together.” Can you explain what that means for a guest at the clinic?
ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea is Europe’s first luxury wellness and longevity destination featuring seven Metawell technologies within a 4,000-square-meter ecosystem of holistic health and wellbeing. We offer seven specialized longevity programmes, 42 treatment cabins, 25 specialities, 32 medical practices, and seven high-tech devices, combining innovation with compassionate care.
Science ensures every guest receives evidence-based, measurable results. Soul is the human touch; Mediterranean warmth, mindful therapies, sensory design and the attentive presence of our medical team. Together, they create an experience that is both clinically transformative and emotionally renewing.
Q: What kind of programmes or treatments do you offer that directly appeal to international travellers seeking a transformative wellness journey?
We offer seven signature programmes. These include Detox and Weight Management to Pro-Ageing, Immune Revitalisation, and Aesthetic Rejuvenation. Additionally, our six targeted Boosts address brain health, sleep optimisation, pain relief, dermo-aesthetics, hair vitality, and intimate wellness. Each programme is fully personalised, from diagnostics to nutrition, fitness, and mindfulness. Our integrative medical team spans 25 disciplines including general and preventive medicine, cardiology, genetics, dermatology, digestive health, gynaecology, rehabilitation, dentistry, psychology, and complementary therapies – ensuring a truly holistic yet precise approach.
Q: With wellness tourism on the rise in the Middle East, what opportunities does this create for travel agents and tour operators in the region?
There is growing demand in the GCC for health-driven luxury escapes. For travel agents, this is an opportunity to position longevity-focused wellness as an essential part of high-end travel portfolios. ZEM Wellness Clinic offers GCC travellers a holistic, ultra-luxury clinical experience centred on longevity, pro-ageing, and metabolic optimisation. By partnering with us, agents can offer clients not just a retreat, but a life-enhancing journey in health and wellbeing.
Q: Do you see wellness and longevity becoming a decisive factor for destination choice among luxury travellers? How should the trade adapt to meet this demand?
Absolutely. More luxury travellers are now choosing destinations that promise wellbeing, privacy, and personal transformation. For the trade, it’s crucial to move beyond promoting relaxation and focus on long-term benefits. Packaging wellness journeys as investments in health and vitality will strongly resonate with discerning clients.
Q: What advice would you give travel professionals on how to market and package longevity-focused wellness trips effectively?
Travel professionals should lead with transformation, not treatments; focusing on the life-enhancing results guests can expect. Highlight exclusivity and privacy, which are highly valued by high-net-worth travellers. Position ZEM as the perfect reset before or after major cultural or seasonal milestones such as Ramadan, Eid, or the European summer. Educating clients to see longevity as both a luxury and a necessity will help them view these journeys as meaningful investments in long-term health.
Q: Where do you see the biggest growth in health and wellness travel over the next 5–10 years, and how will longevity shape this sector?
We foresee major growth in longevity retreats, preventive medicine travel, and integrative wellness escapes. Travellers will increasingly seek destinations that combine medical precision with lifestyle transformation. Longevity will define the next era of wellness; shifting the industry from short-term getaways to life-changing journeys that extend health, vitality, and quality of life.
