Developing wellness tourism in Indonesia is likely the right step to expanding knowledge of Indonesian heritage richness. Considering that every year Indonesians spend around US$11 billion on health tourism abroad.
Welness tourism is an activity that prioritises health and physical wellness, as well as restoring the spiritual and mental health of tourists.
In order to revive the tourism and creative economy sectors, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) encourages the development of wellness tourism and herbal tourism in Indonesia.
The tradition of processing herbal plants into herbal concoctions that are efficacious for fitness and treatment has existed from ancient times to the present. Then, herbal preparations are also often used in body care and beauty.
Initially, there are already several tourist destinations focusing on wellness tourism and herbal tourism. Bali, Yogyakarta, and Tawangmangu in Solo are the top destinations. This is because the three tourist destinations have their own characteristics. Each destination is highly potential in developing health tourism.
The choice of Tawangmangu as a herbal tourism destination is not without reason. Tawangmangu already develops a herbal health centre owned by the Ministry of Health, which has the potential to encourage the development of herbal tourism in Indonesia.
Moreover, traditional medicine using herbal ingredients in Tawangmangu has been scientifically tested. This follows the fact that Tawangmangu has completed a herbal medicine certification programme. Every herb is tested for safety, quality, and efficacy until it is suitable for consumption.
So, it is possible that herbal medicine, as one of Indonesia’s traditional drinks, can really become a health tourism attraction in Tawangmangu.
Do you know that the medicinal plant sambiloto (Green chiretta) can prevent diabetes, pace which contains high antioxidants? Or handeuleum leaves to treat haemorrhoids? Herb tourism would be a perfect chance to learn all that outside of spending time digging in textbooks.
Turmeric to treat ulcers, celery to treat hypertension, and guava leaves to treat diarrhoea have also been clinically tested in Tawangmangu.
Apart from herbal medicine, Tawangmangu also develops the potential for aroma therapy, meditation, healthy food, and hiking. Tourists can also learn about the history of herbal medicine and Javanese herbal traditions as a tour package.
The most popular herb site in Tawangmangu is the Hortus Medicus Herbal Research House – B2P2TOOT. This place is originally a scientific clinic and laboratory. However, there are also herbal griya, museum, cinema room, library, and greenhouse for the adaptation and preservation of medicinal plants.
So, with the development of herbal tourism in Tawangmangu, it is hoped that it can be a combination of treatment, economic value, tourism, and education that can introduce authentic Indonesian herbal ingredients to the international arena.
