November 2, 2025 | 03:31 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana officially inaugurated the Wonderful Indonesia Wellness 2025 event at Taman Balekambang, Solo, Central Java, on Saturday, November 1, 2025. The event is scheduled to run for a full month, concluding on November 30.
Minister Widiyanti stated that, according to the Global Wellness Institute 2023 report, Indonesia ranks first in the world in the overall wellness economics category, valued at $56.4 billion, or approximately Rp939 trillion, and is the third fastest-growing country in the Asia Pacific region.
She highlighted that the current global tourism trend favors trips that are not only enjoyable but also healthy and restorative, presenting a significant opportunity for Indonesia. "Tourists now seek vacations for healing, aiming to recharge their energy and return home in a healthier and happier condition," Widiyanti told reporters after the opening ceremony on Saturday night.
7 Categories of Wellness Tourism
The Minister explained that the Ministry of Tourism has established seven main categories of wellness tourism, or fitness tourism. These categories range from spa tourism and traditional and complementary therapies, such as herbal medicine, to healthy culinary experiences, fitness and lifestyle, and arts and culture activities that promote mental balance.
"Solo is very suited for fitness tourism due to its rich culture and culinary scene. Solo has prepared a variety of events, including learning traditional Javanese music and dancing, and healthy food preparation. We also aim to target quality tourists who stay longer and have higher spending," she noted.
During the launch, the ministry also released the book, Wellness Journey Across the Java Wonders. This resource will serve as a guide for tourism industry players, such as online travel agents and tour operators, to develop fitness tourism packages across the Solo, Yogyakarta, and Central Java regions.
Tourism Ministry's Flagship Program
Vincencius Jemadu, Deputy for Event Organizer Development at the Tourism Ministry, added that Wonderful Indonesia Wellness has been designated a national flagship program. It targets the sale of 5,000 tour packages during its one-month implementation.
"This program is very special because it falls under the category of special interest tourism. Beyond package sales, we also aim for a direct impact on MSMEs, projecting transactions to reach Rp8.5–9 billion. Ticket sales for the opening and closing events are targeted to bring in Rp4.5–5 billion. Tonight alone, we already had 1,000 attendees," Jemadu stated.
Solo Mayor Respati Aedi expressed appreciation and confirmed the city’s full readiness as the host.
"We are grateful for the trust placed in Solo to host this wellness tourism event. With our two main cultural pillars, the Kraton Kasunanan Surakarta Hadiningrat and Pura Mangkunegaran, we possess a wealth of cultural experiences ready to be integrated with the fitness tourism concept," he remarked.
Respati concluded by asserting that Solo's entire tourism ecosystem, from infrastructure and tourism entrepreneurs to therapists and MSMEs, is fully prepared to support the program's success.
Editor’s Choice: The Art of Shopping in Bali: Meet the Hidden Treasures of Cultural Markets
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Poverty Rate in Solo, Central Java, Falls to 7.69%
1 hari lalu
Previously, in 2024, the poverty rate in the city of Solo was still at 8.31 percent or 43,280 people.
Bandung Hotel Occupancy Improves as Local Govt Leverages Festivals
3 hari lalu
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan emphasizes the impact of focusing on the MICE sector to drive the city's economic activities.
Thailand Enters Year-Long Mourning, Here's Travel Guidance for Visitors
4 hari lalu
The mourning period is marked with flags at half-mast and dark clothing for 90 days to honor Queen Sirikit. Tourism in Thailand remains open.
Lonely Planet Names Old Dubai Culinary Tours Among 2026's Top Experiences
8 hari lalu
Culinary tours in the old districts of Dubai, specifically in Bur Dubai and Deira, have been listed as one of the best experiences in the world for 2026 by Lonely Planet.
Get to Know Kemiren Village, Indonesia's UN-Awarded Tourism Village
9 hari lalu
Kemiren Village in Banyuwangi, East Java, received the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme 2025 award from the UN Tourism.
National Geographic's Top Five World Travel Destinations for 2026
10 hari lalu
National Geographic has released the Best of the World Destinations 2026 list featuring 25 of the best global travel destinations.
Indonesia's Kemiren Village Named Among the World's Best Tourism Villages
13 hari lalu
Osing Kemiren Traditional Tourism Village in Banyuwangi, East Java, has been recognized as one of the best tourism villages in the world.
The Allure of Abu Dhabi, the World's Happiest City
16 hari lalu
Abu Dhabi is named the happiest city in the world by 2025 according to the Time Out Index.
BLACKPINK's Lisa Appointed as Thailand's Tourism Ambassador
17 hari lalu
BLACKPINK's Lisa will share stories about Thailand's destinations, traditions, and cultural highlights as part of the Amazing Thailand campaign.
Indonesia Builds Rp260bn Breakwater Along Bali's Kuta Beach
19 hari lalu
The breakwater construction at Kuta Beach is aimed at preventing coastal abrasion.
