"Culture is one of Indonesia's greatest strengths, a national identity, what sets us apart from other countries, and a source of competitive advantage in developing our tourism sector," Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana noted in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Wardhana highlighted that Indonesia's rich traditions and cultural diversity lend a unique character to its tourism, something few other countries can offer.
"Therefore, our cultural heritage must be packaged as creatively and authentically as possible, through strong collaboration between various stakeholders," the minister stressed.
Wardhana emphasized the importance of creating emotional connections with visitors. “We need to present this cultural richness in ways that attract tourists who not only visit but also feel a deep connection to Indonesia,” the minister added.
According to the minister, one strategy involves organizing culture-based tourism events aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s flagship program, Events by Indonesia.
The MoU is also expected to open up new opportunities for collaboration in leveraging culture as a major tourism attraction in Indonesia through a wide range of cultural activities.
"Let us build a positive image of our nation and encourage international tourists to come and experience Indonesia's rich cultural heritage firsthand," she remarked.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon highlighted that Indonesia's cultural diversity holds great potential and should be harnessed as a driving force for both tourism and economic growth.
"We hope culture can become our soft power in the future. Culture is not a burden; it can be an economic asset and can become an industry," Fadli remarked.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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