Tourism Ministry: Bali Remains the Premier Destination for Wellness Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Vinsensius Jemadu, Deputy for Events at the Indonesian Tourism Ministry, remarked that Bali remains the leading region for wellness tourism. He defined wellness tourism as travel specifically aimed at enhancing physical, mental, and emotional health.

"Two years ago, the Tourism Ministry conducted an identification process to determine which destinations were the most prepared. Naturally, Bali stood out as being highly ready, particularly regarding its infrastructure and human resources," said Vinsensius on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

He added that the development of wellness tourism has become a national priority. This is reflected in the Indonesian government's long-standing commitment, which began 27 years ago by designating Sanur, Bali, as a pilot project for a specialized health zone.

Vinsensius noted that such steps demonstrate the government's serious approach to managing Indonesia’s tourism landscape. Specifically, they are positioning wellness tourism as a key national priority for the future.

"Moving forward, development will also be expanded to other destinations. This program aims to reduce the number of Indonesians traveling abroad for health reasons, which has often been cited as a source of foreign exchange leakage," he explained.

Beyond Bali, several other regions have been designated as top-tier wellness tourism destinations, including Manado, Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta, Malang, and Medan.

"I believe Manado currently has several destinations that are ready, particularly with the growth of its wellness tourism sector," he added.

Meanwhile, Azril Azhari, Chairperson of the Indonesian Tourism Scholars Association, shared several reasons why Indonesia is a natural fit for wellness tourism. One primary factor is the nation’s spice production, which has been a global attraction since the 16th century.

"The Ministry must further develop the 'Spice Route', highlighting its history and significance, so that international visitors look to Indonesia for these authentic materials," remarked Azhari.

To prevent over-commercialization, he suggested that the use of spices should not focus solely on bodily health. Instead, they should be integrated into culinary offerings as seasonings for various dishes. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)