The covid-19 pandemic has affected many sectors, one of them being tourism. But that doesn’t mean all tourism can’t develop in the new normal due to the coronavirus.
Wellness tourism, or a special trip to maintain fitness, has the potential to grow rapidly during the transition to the new normal.
Alexander Reyaan, Director of Nature, Culture and Artificial Tourism at the Kemenparekraf, said that his office is developing wellness tourism in three areas that will affect domestic and foreign tourists. The cities are Bali, Solo, and DI Yogyakarta.
“Not only three cities, but it will also expand to various regions in Indonesia that have wellness potential,” Alexander said during his presentation at the Indonesia Wellness Tourism Festival held online on Wednesday (1/9). Alex further explained that wellness tourism in Solo will focus more on herbal medicine.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s hometown has the potential to be a “herbal tourism destination” for its varieties of natural-based beverage production. Tawangmangu is one of the most popular destinations for herb visits.
Also read: Indonesia’s Wellness and Herb Tourism in Tawangmangu
In addition to herbal medicine, aromatherapy, meditation, healthy food, and nature and city hikes will also be attractions in this region.
Following the potential for wellness travels in Yogyakarta besides herbal medicine is the tradition of Javanese massage, beksan meditation, art therapy, healthy food, retreats, as well as nature and city hikes.
Meanwhile, Bali, which already has the potential of Bali Usada, also projects the potential for yoga, meditation, healthy food, as well as nature and city exploration.
“Bali has a myriad of unique things to introduce. After all, Bali is already world-renowned as a wellness destination,” said Alex.
In addition to the potentials mentioned above, Alex also revealed that the three destinations have already been in the initial development plan because they have proven to be able to “be visited by more tourists”. Thus, wellness tourism will be eligible for all travellers.
“These three areas are also more fitting to the market segmentation, which is for the middle class and above. For Bali, it is already popular as a tourist area for various classes,” concluded Alex.
