Sanur is embracing its new role as Indonesia’s top destination for health and medical tourism, marked by the full operation of the Bali International Hospital and the milestone of its first childbirth.
Sanur’s Transformation into a Health Tourism Destination
Once Bali’s original tourism resort, Sanur has evolved over the past six decades. In the last five years, significant investments have reshaped the area into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) focused on health and medical tourism. According to Wonderful Indonesia, the Indonesian Tourism Board, SEZs are designed to attract investment and boost economic growth. The Sanur SEZ, spanning 4.9 hectares, integrates world-class medical facilities with Balinese healing traditions, featuring an ethnobotanical garden with yoga spaces and sacred melukat rituals for a holistic recovery experience.
The Bali International Hospital, a cornerstone of the SEZ, sets a global benchmark in healthcare with cutting-edge technology and expert care in fields like Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, and more.
Economic and Tourism Impact
Managed by InJourney, which oversees leisure and lifestyle spaces in Indonesia’s airports, the Sanur SEZ is poised to become a flagship project for regional health tourism. InJourney President Director Maya Watono highlighted that the SEZ is expected to create thousands of jobs and attract international visitors seeking both tourism and medical care. The initiative aims to generate up to IDR 86 trillion in foreign exchange annually and employ over 18,000 workers, positioning Sanur as a competitor to medical tourism hubs like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.
Official Launch and Strategic Vision
On July 25, 2025, President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated the Sanur SEZ. Rosan Roeslani, CEO of Danantara Indonesia, emphasized its potential to drive investment in healthcare and tourism, key pillars of Indonesia’s economy. Meanwhile, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir noted that the SEZ addresses the issue of nearly 2 million Indonesians seeking medical treatment abroad annually, costing Rp150 trillion. The SEZ aims to provide high-quality domestic healthcare while attracting global health tourists.
Facilities and Accommodations
The Bali International Hospital offers specialized services, including Stem Cell Therapy, Aesthetic Surgery, Fertility Treatments, and Geriatrics. Adjacent to the hospital, The Sanur resort area features the luxurious 5-star Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel, the latter being Bali’s tallest hotel with 10 floors and 274 rooms, providing an ideal setting for rest and recovery.
Sanur’s transformation into a world-class health and wellness destination blends advanced medical care with Bali’s cultural charm, setting the stage for a new era of tourism and economic growth.
