Yogyakarta is strengthening efforts to become a national center for wellness tourism through collaboration between academics, medical practitioners, and sports professionals. With interdisciplinary synergy and academic support, the city is envisioned not only as a healthy city but also as a national reference for integrating health and tourism toward a sustainable future.
The initiative was highlighted during the Webinar on Sports Injury Management and Scientific Dissemination of the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program in the Development of Wellness Tourism held on Wednesday (Sep. 10).
The event was organized by the UGM Center for Herbal Medicine, the Master of Biomedical Sciences Program of the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FK-KMK UGM), and the Indonesian Sports Health Development Association in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (PPKORI DIY), as part of the National Sports Day commemoration.
The speakers in this event included Professor Denny Agustiningsih, Head of the Medical Education Program at FK-KMK UGM and Secretary of PPKORI DIY; Dr. Yudha Mathan Sakti, lecturer at the Department of Surgery, FK-KMK UGM; Dr. Mirza Hapsari Sakti Titis P., dietitian and Chair of the Indonesia Sport Nutritionist Association; and Dr. Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono, lecturer at the Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, FK-KMK UGM.
Professor Agustiningsih emphasized that safe wellness tourism must begin with an understanding of each individual’s physical condition. She noted that wellness encompasses not only physical ability but also mental readiness, hydration, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest.
“These are the foundations to ensure that sports activities bring benefits rather than injuries,” she said.
Chair of PPKORI DIY, Dr. Santosa Budiharjo, added that wellness tourism has the potential to become a new economic driver for Yogyakarta if supported by proper regulations and education.
Similarly, Dr. Sudadi, Vice Dean for Collaboration, Alumni, and Community Service at FK-KMK UGM, affirmed that UGM is ready to support Yogyakarta as a leading wellness tourism destination. This aligns with the FK-KMK UGM Academic Health System (AHS) Strategic Plan 2025-2029, which integrates education, research, and health services.
In addition to strengthening public education, Dr. Sudadi explained that the webinar also produced practical recommendations for both wellness tourism managers and participants.
Organizers were encouraged to provide information on participants’ physical requirements, prepare alternative activities according to conditions, and ensure hydration stations at every activity point.
In his presentation, Dr. Sakti highlighted the phenomenon of weekend warriors or individuals who engage in intense physical activity only on weekends without adequate preparation.
He warned that although the risk of injury is high, preventive measures, injury management, and effective rehabilitation can minimize risks while also supporting the growth of wellness tourism.
Dr. Titis stressed that diet, consumption of sports foods, and supplementation play a critical role in post-activity recovery and preventing recurring injuries.
Meanwhile, Dr. Wicaksono emphasized the importance of selecting proper medication in accordance with regulations, especially for professional athletes subject to the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Indonesian Anti-Doping Organization (IADO).
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik