The rapid growth of health/fitness tourism has opened up opportunities for fitness businesses, all segments of travel businesses, and related businesses in the country, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has said.
“Indonesia has great potential for medical tourism. Based on the Medical Care and Medical Wellness Growth study, the growth of health tourism in Indonesia in 2024 is projected to reach 13.5 percent, and this will be supported by Indonesia’s rich potential, such as hot spring sites,” he informed at the International Wellness Tourism Conference & Festival (IWTCF) 2022 in Solo, Central Java on Friday.
Health tourism has become one of the tourism trends that have developed after the COVID-19 pandemic, given that health, hygiene, safety, and security have become a consideration for travel, he said.
Hence, health tourism has become a travel option besides solo travel, virtual tours, and staycations.
Moreover, health tourism is quality tourism, if based on the length of stay of tourists, the minister added. While undertaking health tourism, people often need to stay for at least a week.
“Wellness tourism in the global economic potential makes a high contribution, with reports recording an increase from US$4.2 trillion in 2017 to US$4.5 trillion in 2019. Wellness tourism is estimated to increase in 2022 with an average growth of 7.5 percent per year and contribute about 18 percent to total global tourism,” Hartarto said.
For a long time, Indonesians have often traveled for healing or for health, such as for improving skin health, breathing, and muscle relaxation.
Indonesia also has many ecotourism destinations that promote natural beauty and healthy activities, including climbing, diving, and snorkeling.
It also has many spice products that can be useful for increasing endurance, body care, beauty, treatment, and aroma therapy.
“Health tourism must continue to be developed with professional wellness tourism management and widely promoted to domestic and foreign tourists so that they become more interested in health tourism in Indonesia,” Minister Hartarto said.
Source: Antara News