Indonesia is ramping up efforts to strengthen its tourism sector through grassroots development and international diplomacy. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Cooperatives signed a key agreement to support rural tourism, while high-level meetings with global leaders aim to position Indonesia as a regional tourism hub.
Empowering Villages Through Cooperatives
Ministers Widiyanti Putri Wardhana (Tourism) and Budi Arie Setiadi (Cooperatives) inked a deal to develop Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, a program designed to professionalize community-based tourism.
The initiative will start with 17 award-winning tourism villages before expanding to over 6,000 nationwide. The goal is to provide legal recognition, funding, training, and market access to boost rural economies.
“This model links tourism with other local sectors like agriculture, creating wider benefits,” said Minister Budi Arie.
Diplomatic Push for Sustainable Tourism
Minister Wardhana recently attended the UN Tourism Commission meeting in Jakarta, where she discussed partnerships with officials from the Philippines, Tunisia, Iran, Mexico, and the Maldives. Talks focused on recovery strategies, digital transformation, and niche tourism like gastronomy and wellness travel.
“Global collaboration is vital to stay competitive,” Wardhana stated.
Data-Driven Tourism Policies
At home, the ministry partnered with Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) to improve tourism data collection. Accurate statistics will help shape policies and measure sector performance.
“Reliable data ensures tourism growth benefits the economy,” Wardhana said. BPS Head Amalia Widyasanti confirmed the agency will supply detailed attraction statistics.
Ambitious Targets for 2025
Indonesia aims for over 14 million international tourists this year, with Bali targeting 6.5 million. The government’s dual strategy—local empowerment and global engagement—could set a benchmark for sustainable tourism in the region.
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