In these economically challenging times, many experts say it is vital to invest in preventative healthcare. Better overall health means lower medical bills.

Reports show that only 14 percent of Americans took two weeks of vacation last year, and the number of Americans taking family vacations has dropped by a third in the past generation. The price Americans are paying, by not getting away to decompress, is significant in terms of physical and emotional health.

In fact, statistics show that Europeans, who work 300 fewer hours per year due to month long “holidays,” actually require less healthcare - and are 50 percent less likely than Americans to have heart disease, hypertension or diabetes before age 50.

The tourism industry is catching on to this trend, as more and more people are taking their health into their own hands. A recent collaboration between two top Pensacola, Fla.-area destinations, the world-class Andrews Institute and luxury resort Portofino Island, is aimed at just that.

“The Golden Vita retreat is preventative healthcare meets a relaxing four-day vacation,” says Rob Babcock, general manager for Portofino Island Resort and Spa at Pensacola Beach. “Especially now, people want to find a way to seek out the best knowledge and make the best choices for their health. We are combining Andrews Institute’s expertise with our beautiful resort, gourmet cuisine and famous white beaches as the backdrop.”

Andrews is known for its state-of-the-art medical care and research, with its doctors regularly serving the nation’s top athletes. Now, everyday people are being offered access to the latest research and information from Andrews’ experts on nutrition, anti-aging, bone and joint health and other subjects.

The combination of the medical side with the five-star resort side as a “health vacation” is a growing trend that has caught on with Europeans and is something American’s are also starting to do. Health-related tourism is growing because many people want to do something meaningful besides getting in their R&R.

Health-related vacations are also part of a larger trend, sustainable tourism. This economic development trend is an effort to create events that keep visitors coming year-round.