Wellness Tourism Poised to Become New Pillar for Indonesia's Travel Industry

Indonesia is strategically positioning itself to capitalize on the growing global trend of wellness tourism, aiming to establish it as a significant new pillar of its national industry.

The country possesses abundant natural resources, rich cultural heritage, and established wellness traditions that provide a strong foundation for developing value-added tourism products. Recognizing this potential, the government has designated Jakarta and Bali as the initial focus areas for the development of its wellness tourism ecosystem, with plans for 2026–2027.

Globally, the wellness tourism sector is experiencing robust growth. Projections estimate the market will reach $1.08 trillion by 2026 and are expected to surge to $2.4 trillion by 2035. Indonesia's diverse natural landscapes, including mountains, beaches, and hot springs, combined with its traditional spa and massage practices, offer unique experiences that can attract both domestic and international travelers.

To further bolster this sector, the Indonesian Wellness Tourism Association (PERWAKIN) was recently established. Fikri Aziz, the association's chairman, emphasized its role as an ecosystem driver focused on elevating local wellness traditions to international standards. PERWAKIN aims to foster collaboration among various sectors, including health, sports, tourism, academia, and business, to enhance the quality of wellness tourism products and services in Indonesia.

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PERWAKIN is present not only as an association but as an ecosystem driver. Our main focus is to elevate the local wisdom of Nusantara's wellness to have high quality standards, be certified, and be able to attract domestic and foreign tourists sustainably.