Strengthen your credibility, increase your professional visibility and demonstrate your commitment to responsible retreat leadership.
The WTA Verified Retreat Leader (VRL) designation recognizes individuals who have successfully completed WTA’s verification process and demonstrated a commitment to responsible retreat leadership in alignment with the Six Principles for Responsible Retreats.
As retreats continue to rapidly grow in popularity worldwide, trust and credibility matter more than ever. The Verified Retreat Leader designation through the Wellness Tourism Association provides a visible professional distinction for individuals committed to leading responsible retreat experiences.
Display the WTA Verified Retreat Leader badge as a visible signal of your commitment to responsible professional practices.
Stand apart in a growing retreat marketplace with professional recognition from the Wellness Tourism Association.
Gain a profile in the WTA Verified Retreat Leader Directory, helping prospective participants, partners and industry professionals discover verified retreat leaders.
Show participants, venues, partners and industry peers your commitment to responsible retreat leadership and WTA’s Six Principles for Responsible Retreats.
Upon successful verification, you’ll receive professional recognition and visibility you can put to work across your website, marketing and professional relationships.
Display your VRL badge across your website, retreat pages and professional marketing.
Be discoverable through WTA’s public VRL Directory (coming soon).
Gain opportunities for added visibility across WTA’s communications, partnerships and global wellness tourism community.
Your Verified Retreat Leader designation, badge and directory profile remain active for one year from the date of approval.
Questions about the Verified Retreat Leader designation?
Contact vrl@wellnesstourismassociation.org
Recognition is valid for 12 months from the date of approval
The Verified Retreat Leader recognition is designed specifically for individuals who personally lead or co-lead retreats and take an active role in the participant retreat experience. This may include retreat leaders, facilitators, wellness practitioners, coaches and other professionals who personally lead retreat experiences.
You may also be eligible if you have relevant professional experience leading, teaching or facilitating individuals or groups and have a specific retreat actively in development.
Applicants preparing to lead their first retreat must be able to demonstrate the professional practices required through the verification process. Simply considering or planning to lead retreats at some point in the future is not sufficient.
Verified Retreat Leader is an individual professional designation, not an organizational designation.
Travel companies, travel advisors, retreat planners, tour operators, DMCs, hotels, retreat venues and other businesses or professionals are invited to join the WTA as a Member.
If you work in one of these roles and also personally lead or co-lead retreats, you may apply in your individual capacity.
“Retreat leaders have an extraordinary opportunity to create meaningful experiences that positively impact people’s lives. As our industry continues to grow, professional recognition helps distinguish those who are committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and care. The WTA Verified Retreat Leader designation is an important step toward building greater trust and confidence across the retreat community.”
VRL recognition is grounded in WTA’s Six Principles for Responsible Retreats, the industry framework designed to support greater professionalism, responsibility and care across the global retreat ecosystem.
Verified Retreat Leaders commit to upholding all Six Principles while their recognition remains active.
Each applicant completes a Verification Assessment form that is independently reviewed across key areas of responsible professional practice, including:
Relevant retreat leadership, professional or facilitation experience and responsible practice within one’s professional scope.
Appropriate professional practices intended to support participant safety and preparedness.
Clear, accurate and responsible communication with retreat participants.
Professional practices that support participant autonomy, appropriate boundaries and respectful retreat experiences.
Verified Retreat Leaders also commit to upholding all Six Principles for Responsible Retreats.
Begin by completing the short online VRL application, and submitting the $149 USD Application & Review Fee.
Applications are reviewed by the WTA VRL Team, and Verification Assesment form is sent to continue the process.
Complete the online Verification Assessment, providing additional information about your professional experience and retreat practices.
Your completed assessment is independently reviewed. Once approved, you’ll receive your official Verified Retreat Leader digital badge and official recognition.
Strengthen your credibility, distinguish yourself in the retreat marketplace and demonstrate your commitment to responsible retreat leadership.
Looking for a retreat leader who has completed WTA’s independent verification process? Explore the WTA Verified Retreat Leader Directory to discover professionals committed to responsible retreat leadership and the Six Principles for Responsible Retreats.
Cookies on this website
We use cookies to run this website and, with your permission, to understand how it is used so we can improve it. You can accept all cookies or continue with essential cookies only. See our Privacy Policy for more.