IWTIF 2025: How to Design a Wellness Program Based on Local Wisdom, Yoyoh Tambera Style
The 2025 Indonesia Wellness Tourism Festival (IWTIF) officially opened on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The festival, first held in 2021, was initiated by three major associations: the Indonesia Wellness Master Association (IWMA), the Wellness and Healthcare Entrepreneur Association (WEA), and the Indonesia Wellness Spa Professional Association (IWESPA).
Since 2024, support for IWTIF has expanded, including from the Ethna Perana Board—a confederation of over 40 Indonesian wellness associations.
The Chairperson of IWTIF, Dra. Yulia Himawati, expressed her gratitude to Agnes Lourda Hutagalung, the founder of IWTIF, who consistently supports this event each year, especially in prioritizing local wisdom as a key strength of Indonesian wellness.
This year, IWTIF presented an engaging discussion entitled "How to Design a Wellness Program Based on Local Wisdom," presented by Yoyoh R. Tambera, a trainer and competency assessor for SPA & Wellness with over 26 years of experience.
According to Yoyoh, wellness is not just about physical health, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. Local wisdom passed down from generation to generation is an important foundation for developing wellness programs that align with Indonesian traditions and culture.
13 Etnaprana Nusantara in a Wellness Program Based on Local Wisdom
Yoyoh Tambera reviewed 13 etnaprana concepts from various regions in Indonesia that can serve as inspiration for wellness programs:
• Etnaprana Minang – Batangeh (traditional steam), Lulur Randang Minang, Uruik Minang (reflexology massage).
• Etnaprana Batak – Kusuk Batak Massage, Oukup Batak (herbal fumigation).
• Etnaprana Betawi – The philosophy of cleanliness as part of faith.
• Etnaprana Sunda – The philosophy of life: cageur (healthy), bageur (good), singer (responsive), and pinter (intelligent).
• Etnaprana Semarang – Peranakan Chinese with traditional herbal and health practices.
• Etnaprana Madura – So'oso, a body scrub treatment for beauty and healthy skin.
• Etnaprana Bali – Maurut Bali (traditional massage), Boreh Bali (herbal body scrub).
• Etnaprana Java – Ngadi Saliro-Ngadi Busono, physical and spiritual beauty treatments.
• Etnaprana Timor – The philosophy of the balance of nature, water, and life.
• Etnaprana Ambon – Upholding family and togetherness.
• Etnaprana Banjar – The Timung tradition (body cleansing).
• Etnaprana Dayak – A three-dimensional philosophy: vertical (God), social (human relationships), and horizontal (life).
• Etnaprana Bugis – The principle of life harmony and holistic health.
Why are Local Wisdom-Based Wellness Programs Important?
Local wisdom-based wellness programs not only improve public health but also have economic and tourism value. By combining tradition, culture, and modern treatments, Indonesia can create unique and authentic world-class wellness tourism.