Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) has taken a significant step towards boosting the country’s health and wellness tourism sector. The recent hosting of the 2nd Indonesia Health Tourism Exchange Forum (IHTEF) in Jakarta signifies Indonesia’s commitment to becoming a leading player in the global wellness tourism market.
The IHTEF served as a platform for connecting local wellness providers with travel companies, creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. During the forum’s B2B meeting segment, 20 local wellness providers met with 40 travel companies, showcasing a diverse range of health products and services. These meetings were instrumental in facilitating partnerships that can drive the expansion of Indonesia’s wellness tourism industry.
Attendees were introduced to a rich tapestry of wellness offerings, many of which integrated unique cultural elements. The forum featured demonstrations like the healing dance by Sanggar Tari Kinanti Sekar, the aromatic wellness journey offered by Rumah Atsiri, and the traditional Balinese wisdom promoted by the Bali Medical Tourism Association. These experiences provided participants with a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s vast potential in the wellness sector.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, Indonesia’s wellness economy has shown promising growth, increasing from $35 billion in 2017 to $36.4 billion in 2020. However, despite this positive trend, Indonesia currently ranks 19th globally and seventh in the Asia-Pacific region, indicating substantial room for further development.
Itok Parikesit, MoTCE’s director of special interest tourism, acknowledged that while Indonesia is renowned for its Balinese and Javanese massage techniques, a comprehensive strategy for expanding the country’s wellness tourism market is lacking. The MoTCE aims to leverage events like IHTEF to establish Indonesia as a premier global wellness destination. The ministry’s future plans involve harnessing the country’s rich cultural and natural assets to create a distinctive wellness travel trend that attracts international tourists. By fostering collaboration between local wellness providers and travel companies, the MoTCE hopes to significantly enhance Indonesia’s presence in the global wellness tourism industry.
