Indonesia focuses on developing high-quality wellness tourism

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that Indonesia is currently focused on developing high-quality and globally competitive wellness tourism. “We have designated wellness tourism as one of the focuses in developing quality tourism,” Widiyanti said during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday. Widiyanti explained that in its development, the Indonesian Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, has introduced the “Wonderful Indonesia Wellness” programme. “Wonderful Indonesia Wellness” will run for a full month from 1 to 30 November 2025, uniting the regional Royal Surakarta Wellness Festival organised by the Surakarta Palace with the Jogja Cultural Wellness Festival held by the Yogyakarta Regional Tourism Promotion Board. The “Royal Surakarta Wellness Festival” includes 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” presents wellness sessions such as Healthy Food and Herbals, Eco-Friendly Living, Spiritual Wellness and Energy Healing, Natural Beauty, Family and Inner Child, and Harmony in Wellness. The background for developing wellness tourism, according to the minister, is that tourism is no longer just about which destinations travellers visit, but about the desire for more meaningful experiences. “We are entering an era where experiences are more valuable than possessions. Human connections become more valuable than mere convenience, and time spent away from the digital world becomes a luxury,” she said. From an experiential perspective, Widiyanti highlighted that more people want to break free from routine, enjoy the moment, and truly feel alive. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, a counter-trend is emerging in the real world. People are increasingly seeking authentic experiences, real interactions, and places that evoke emotion and leave a lasting impression. “Extreme AI is creating extreme analogue. This trend is reflected in the growth of the experience economy, including the fitness and wellness sector, which is one of the fastest-growing industries globally,” Widiyanti stated. UN Tourism previously noted that sports tourism contributed around 10 per cent of total global tourism spending in 2023 and is projected to grow to 17.5 per cent in the 2023 to 2030 period. Furthermore, according to an American Express Travel survey published in the Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2025 and 2026, a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Bappenas, and Bank Indonesia, tourists, particularly millennials and Gen Z, are projected to travel more actively both domestically and internationally. Their motivation is not only to visit destinations but also to gain new experiences, attend events, and enjoy sports and wellness activities. Data from the Global Wellness Institute in 2024 also highlighted that Indonesia is the largest wellness economy in Southeast Asia, with a value reaching USD 55.77 billion. Meanwhile, a 2025 Nielsen survey showed that 86 per cent of Indonesians are now more proactive in maintaining their health, exceeding the global average. This combination indicates that Indonesia has a significant opportunity to become a leading sports and wellness tourism destination in the region. “We believe that the development of wellness tourism can succeed through close collaboration between the government, businesses, communities, and all stakeholders,” she said.