Bali has made its strongest move yet to be recognised as Asia’s health and wellness hub with a multi-million dollar development on land around the island’s venerable Hotel Indonesia site.
The 41-hectare area in Sanur – owned by state-owned PT Hotel Indonesia Natour – has been designated as a special economic zone for health tourism, allowing companies setting up business on the site to claim tax and other incentives.
Bloomberg reports that health companies including Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic are looking to partner with the government on the project which will attract overseas visitors, as well as many of the Indonesians who travel to countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and the U.S. for medical treatment.
“It is hoped these international health facilities will absorb 4%-8% of Indonesians who usually seek treatment abroad,” Elen Setiadi, acting general secretary at the SEZ National Council, told Bloomberg.
Hotel Indonesia and state-run hospital holding Pertamina Bina Medika will build health facilities, hotels, a convention centre and a botanical garden on the site with a development timeline of three years.