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Yogyakarta seeks to promote Indonesian spa
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A woman enjoying spa massage. (Shutterstock/File)
Yogyakarta recently hosted Ethno Spa Indonesia 2017 on Aug. 12-13 at Jogja City Mall.
“Spa tourism in Indonesia is something that can’t be taken for granted. Just take a look at the awards we received from 2009 and 2012. The International Wellness Awards has even named us 'the best spa destination in the world',” said Tourism Ministry's Archipelago Marketing Development deputy Esthy Reko Astuti.
“This festival has a mission to develop, preserve and introduce Indonesian spa that uses local spices,” added Esthy.
Read also: 5 best day spas in Jakarta
The two-day event featured an exhibition, great sales and booth competitions. Some of the event’s participants included Martha Tilaar, Jogya Tradisional Treatment, Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa, Putri Kedaton, Nurkadhatyan Spa, Griya Bugar, DS Salon, Gallery Prawirotaman and Djemari.
“Indonesia has many spa options that use traditional spices, also known as etno spa. This can attract foreign tourists and act as a form of preservation for ethnic spa in Indonesia,” Esthy said.
Moroever, the ministry's head of Cultural Promotion, Wawan Gunawan said traditional body treatment in the past was the pioneer of spa in Indonesia.
“One of them is Taman Sari water castle that was built in 1789 by a Portuguese architect under the order of Sri Sultan Hamengkubowono I from Yogyakarta, which only served the king and his relatives,” said Wawan. (kes)
