Indonesia focuses on developing globally competitive wellness tourism

We believe the development of wellness tourism can succeed ...

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is focusing on developing high-quality and globally competitive wellness tourism.

"Wellness tourism has been designated as one of our priorities in developing quality tourism," Indonesia's Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said at press conference here on Thursday.

She announced that, as part of the effort, the government’s new "Wonderful Indonesia Wellness" programme will run throughout November 2026, uniting the Royal Surakarta Wellness Festival and the Jogja Cultural Wellness Festival.

The Royal Surakarta Wellness Festival features activities, such as Javanese Wisdom Immersion, Gending for Therapy, Royal Dance Symphony, A Holy Journey, and Javanese Secret Recipe.

Meanwhile, the Jogja Cultural Wellness Festival offers wellness sessions, including Healthy Food and Herbals, Eco-Friendly Living, Spiritual Wellness and Energy Healing, Natural Beauty, Family and Inner Child, and Harmony in Wellness.

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Putri Wardhana explained the development of wellness tourism is driven by the fact that tourism is no longer merely about which destinations people visit, but also about the desire to gain more meaningful experiences.

She noted that as artificial intelligence (AI) technology now integrates into everyday life, a powerful counter-trend is emerging where people crave authentic, emotionally resonant travel experiences, genuine human interactions, and destinations that leave a lasting impression.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global wellness economy reached US$6.8 trillion in 2024 and is projected to grow to US$9.75 trillion by 2029.

Meanwhile, a 2025 Nielsen survey found that 86 percent of Indonesians are proactively maintaining their health. This exceeds the global average and positions the country to become a leading regional destination for sports and wellness tourism.

"We believe the development of wellness tourism can succeed through close collaboration among the government, businesses, communities, and all stakeholders," Putri Wardhana said.

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Translator: Hreeloita, Kenzu

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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