15 Feb 2023
GWI showcases Indonesia’s distinctive wellness assets and wellness economy opportunities
BY Megan Whitby
The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) – a research and educational resource for the global wellness industry – has announced that Indonesia is the latest country to be highlighted on the organisation’s Geography of Wellness microsite.
The platform, which launched last year, gives key stakeholders in the 218 countries featured in GWI’s The Global Wellness Economy: Country Rankings a deeper dive into their country’s position in the various sectors and subsectors of the US$4.4tn (£3.6bn, €4.1bn) global wellness economy.
“Countries that commit to creating a dedicated Geography of Wellness microsite clearly understand the value wellness offerings have in their overall economy,” said Susie Ellis, GWI chair and CEO.
“By partnering with GWI on this initiative, the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has supported GWI in taking a deeper look into Indonesia’s position in the ever-expanding wellness economy and highlighting its unique strengths.”
According to GWI data, Indonesia’s wellness economy grew from US$35bn (£29bn, €32.7bn) in 2017 to US$36.4bn (£30.2bn, €34bn) in 2020, ranking the country #19 out of the 218 measured worldwide and seventh (out of 46) in the Asia-Pacific region.
The research reveals that the highest spike in its wellness economy occurred in 2019 (pre-pandemic) when it was valued at US$40.6bn (£33.6bn, €37.9bn).
The hardest-hit categories during the pandemic were:
• Wellness tourism – US$1.7bn (£1.4bn, €1.6bn) in 2020, down 65 per cent from a high of US$5bn (£4.1bn, €4.7bn) in 2019.
• Spas – US$1bn (£828.8m, €933.5m) in 2020, down 43 per cent from a high of US$1.76bn in 2020.
• Thermal/mineral springs – US$17m (£14.1m, €15.9m), down 43.5 per cent from a high of US$30m (£24.9m €28m) in 2020.
Now that these sectors are reopened, Indonesia’s wellness economy is reportedly back in a strong position for continued growth. One of its strongest investment growth areas is its wellness real estate market, which increased 18 per cent from 2019 to 2020 – from US$957m (£793.3m, €894.4m) to over $1.1bn (£911.8m, €1bn).
GWI’s global wellness economy data, along with a deep dive into Indonesia, can be found in the newly released report, The Global Wellness Economy: Indonesia, available for free download.
Wellness in Indonesia
Indonesia is a popular destination known for its rich cultural history and traditional wellness treatments and programmes.
Indonesia’s wellness practices have existed for more than 2,000 years, incorporating Indonesian heritage with wellness traditions from Indian, Arabic and Chinese origins.
The country’s diverse regions offer healing experiences for the mind, body and soul, from traditional aromatherapy and treatments with essential oils in Solo, to immersive wellness journeys in villages like Wanurejo and Candirejo in Yogyakarta, to eco-friendly spa and wellness retreats in Bali.
The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has a mission to make Indonesia a global wellness tourism destination and for the country’s wellness products, including its traditional jamu herbal drinks and tonics, to be considered among the best in the world.
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