Healing forests as potential natural resources for visitor health therapy in the post-pandemic period

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has shocked people all over the world, including Indonesia. Various impacts have been felt due to the pandemic, including the many lives lost, obstacles to economic activity, limited community activities in general, to a decline in national tourism activities. The space for people to move at that time was limited, especially when they were infected with COVID-19. This study aims to identify the benefits of forests to improve public health recovery post-pandemic. Data collection was carried out in February-June 2023 by literature review and was analyzed qualitatively. Indonesia has successfully passed COVID-19 since December 2022, while health protocols are still being implemented. After going through a difficult period, people need health therapy to face their activities properly. The benefit of forests from environmental services in several countries is considered capable of being an alternative to increasing people’s enthusiasm with health therapy through healing forests. Many ecotourism activists in Central Java offered tourism services for beautiful landscapes, kind of waterfalls, mountainous landscapes, and the serenity of forests. Visitors welcome the opportunity to enjoy beautiful natural offerings and soothe the soul. It is in line with the high demand of ecotourism spots post pandemic, which form a close relationship between the triple bottom line from an ecological, social, and economic standpoint toward the environment sustainable development.