SMART TOURISM FOR HEALTHY AGING: BUILDING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ECOSYSTEMS IN INDONESIA
Keywords:
Smart Tourism, Healthy Aging, Inclusive Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Digital transformationAbstract
This article examines the strategic integration of smart tourism concepts with healthy aging initiatives to build inclusive and sustainable tourism ecosystems in Indonesia. Indonesia is experiencing a significant demographic shift with an aging population, reaching 34 million elderly individuals by 2025, while simultaneously developing its digital tourism infrastructure. This research employs a qualitative literature review approach, analyzing recent studies on smart tourism, inclusive tourism for the elderly, and sustainable tourism development in Indonesia. The findings indicate that Indonesia has significant potential to develop health and wellness tourism for the aging population, supported by natural resources, healing traditions, and emerging Health Special Economic Zones . Smart tourism technologies, including virtual reality, digital mapping applications, and AI-driven services, can enhance accessibility for elderly tourists . However, challenges remain in human resource capacity, infrastructure readiness, and the need for participatory approaches involving local communities . The study proposes an integrated framework combining digital innovation, community empowerment, and sustainability principles to develop tourism ecosystems that serve both elderly tourists and local communities. This research contributes to the discourse on smart tourism and aging population management in Indonesia.
References
Abdullah, A., Walidin, W., Gade, S., & Silahuddin, S. (2023). Istiqamah Seumubeuet Teungku Dayah Salafiyah Aceh (Analysis of the Alamtologi Approach). 11(1), 82--95. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54621/jiaf.v12i1.626
Aminuddin. (2018). Konsep Pendidikan Akhlak Menurut Mahmud Yunus. Yayasan Madinah Al-Aziziyah.
Anaf, A., Purwaningsih, S. S., Noveria, M., Harfina, D., Raharjana, D. T., & Utami, D. W. (2024). Resilience of families with the elderly amid the COVID-19 pandemic: lesson learned from two tourism villages in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2326693
Anantawikrama, T. (2025). A New Tourism Frontier: How Health and Wellness Can Drive Indonesia's Future Economy. Warta Ekonomi. https://wartaekonomi.co.id/read573939/a-new-tourism-frontier-how-health-and-wellness-can-drive-indonesias-future-economy
Cahyani, I. A. R., & Rizky, M. A. (2026). TAPAKNUSA: A Conceptual Design of a Smart Tourism Application Based on Spatial Mapping and Inclusivity in Indonesia. Proceedings of the Global Tourism Innovation Conference. https://gtic.poltekparmedan.ac.id/index.php/gtic/article/view/354
Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia. (2026). Senior Happy Run 5K 2026 Promotes Sports Tourism and Healthy Lifestyles for Senior. RRI.co.id. https://rri.co.id/en/tourism/2372768/senior-happy-run-5k-2026-promotes-sports-tourism-and-healthy-lifestyles-for-senior
Nur, A., Khaidir, Suparto, Amiruddin, Rijal, F., Nazaruddin, Rusnawati, Robby, S. K. I., Saputra, M., & Maula, I. (2021). Teori Dan Aplikasi Ilmu Pendidikan Islam. Yayasan Penerbit Muhammad Zaini.
Rahayu, I. (2026). Analisis Pengembangan Pariwisata Budaya Kota Tanjungpinang Menghadapi Kendala Keterbatasan Sumber Daya Manusia. Jurnal Manajemen Pariwisata, 5(1). https://jurnal.btp.ac.id/index.php/mata-btp/article/view/503
Rahmadian, F., et al. (2024). Digital transformation policies for tourism development in Indonesia. Journal of Indonesian Tourism Policy, 12(3), 45-68.
Sjioena, A. E., & Beeha, N. (2024). The linguistic landscape for sustainable and inclusive tourism: insight from Timor Tengah Selatan, Indonesia. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2441579
Sirih, M. S., Duli, A., & Achmad, M. (2025). Exploring the potential of virtual reality for accessible tourism: the case of elderly and disabled in Makassar city, Indonesia. Tourism Recreation Research.
Wander Through Bali's Wonder: Bali's New Sustainable Tourism Campaign. (2025). Panorama Destination. http://www.panorama-destination.com/wander-in-wonder-balis-new-sustainable-tourism-campaign/
Widyanti, N. W. (2026). Artotel Luncurkan Mindhavana, Program Wisata Psikologis untuk Lansia. Kompas.com. https://travel.kompas.com/read/2026/06/17/214029027/artotel-luncurkan-mindhavana-program-wisata-psikologis-untuk-lansia
Zakiyah, U., Sofyan, A., & Suryani. (2025). Sustainable Development of Inclusive and Disability-Friendly Tourism in the Pasir Padi Beach Area, Bangka Belitung, Indonesia. International Journal of Sustainable Competitiveness on Tourism, 4(02), 88-100. https://doi.org/10.34013/ijscot.v4i02.2341
