Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government seeks to develop tourism that is not only oriented towards the number of visits but also provides social, economic, and cultural benefits to the local communities, Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said.
"Economic growth must be accompanied by social inclusion and environmental sustainability," she said at the Indonesia Tourism Marketing Week (ITMW) in Denpasar, Bali, on Saturday, according to a statement confirmed on Sunday.
She affirmed that the Ministry of Tourism has carried out various strategic programs to encourage tourism transformation, including the development of Tourism Villages, which focuses on local village communities' involvement, and the Clean Tourism Movement.
Apart from that, the ministry is currently preparing the Presidential Regulation on the Indonesia Quality Tourism Fund (IQTF).
The fund will support transformative programs that focus on improving the quality and competitiveness of Indonesia's tourism, including organizing events and developing a sustainable tourism ecosystem.
The minister underscored that Indonesia is blessed with natural wealth, a deeply rooted culture, and the hospitality of its people, which are the main attractions for foreign tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism has set a target for foreign tourist arrivals to reach around 14.6 million to 16 million in 2025, higher than the total arrivals recorded in 2024.
"With such vast land and seas and a strong culture, our wealth is not merely a story of the past, but also a great asset for the future of Indonesia's tourism," Wardhana highlighted.
On the same occasion, the former Tourism Minister for the 2014-2019 period, Arief Yahya, highlighted the importance of promotion in national tourism development as a form of investment.
