ANTARA



 

 
Indonesia is strengthening ties with the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) to develop its wellness tourism sector, aiming to attract more Japanese travelers through holistic health experiences and strategic regional partnerships.

Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana met AJC Secretary-General Kunihiko Chris Hirabayashi in Tokyo on Monday to discuss promoting Indonesia’s wellness ecosystem as a key future growth driver for the national tourism industry.

"Wellness tourism is a strategic direction for Indonesia. We see AJC as a vital partner to strengthen promotion, knowledge exchange, and development in the Japanese market," Widiyanti said in an official statement issued in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Japan remains a critical market for Indonesia, recording over 380,000 arrivals in 2025. This figure represents a 12 percent increase from the previous year, highlighting the growing demand for Indonesian travel destinations.

The two parties discussed reviving a Wellness Tourism Workshop in Bali. The forum serves as a platform for capacity building and expert knowledge-sharing among tourism stakeholders from both ASEAN nations and Japan.

Beyond health-focused travel, the bilateral meeting touched on sustainable and community-based tourism.

Indonesia is currently prioritizing the development of "tourism villages" to improve local welfare and provide authentic cultural experiences for international visitors.

The collaboration also explores human resource development, including the exchange of best practices and expertise.

Both sides committed to increasing people-to-people exchanges to deepen the relationship between Indonesia, Japan, and the broader ASEAN region.

The partnership aims to secure long-term commitment for sustainable tourism growth.

By leveraging AJC’s network, Indonesia expects to solidify its position as a premier destination for holistic and community-driven travel in Southeast Asia.