According to the ministry's press release in Jakarta on Friday, the training, held from August 19 to 23, 2025, was attended by 25 participants from Timbang Jaya Village, Timbang Lawan Village, and Perkebunan Bukit Lawang Village.
"Green tourism is not just a trend, but a necessity. With the ability to manage environmentally friendly businesses and finances properly, MSMEs in tourist villages will be able to compete, grow healthily, and benefit the surrounding environment," said Ika Kusuma Permana Sari, Assistant Deputy for Community Capacity Building at the Tourism Ministry.
The eco-friendly tourism training, supported by the Bank Indonesia Representative Office of North Sumatra and the Langkat District government, included training on financial literacy and innovation in environmentally friendly products and services.
Participants were trained to integrate eco-friendly tourism principles that prioritize environmental sustainability, community empowerment, and local cultural preservation into their business management.
The training also covered the application of sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets and behaviors, as well as eco-friendly business concepts, including business mapping and models, marketing strategies, and production management.
In addition, participants practiced utilizing digital financial technology through the Financial Information Recording Application Information System (SIAPIK).
"The training program will be followed by a month of post-training business mentoring to ensure the implementation of green tourism principles in participants' business activities," she said.
The eco-friendly tourism business training for MSMEs in tourist villages in Langkat District was guided by facilitators from STRIVE, who have received guidance from the Tourism Ministry and ILO.
Langkat Regent, H Syah Afandin, stated that training for MSMEs in tourist villages needs to be accompanied by marketing support.
"MSMEs also need to have the enthusiasm to be on par with others. This is a great opportunity to make MSMEs more professional and competitive," he said.
Meanwhile, ILO Indonesia Program Officer Dina Novita Sari stated that strengthening the capacity of MSMEs in implementing green tourism principles would boost local economic growth and decent work.
"We encourage multi-stakeholder collaboration to continue and replicate the good practices of Green Tourism Certification for MSMEs in various regions across Indonesia," she said.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti, Martha Herlinawati Simanj
Editor: Arie Novarina
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