MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman announced the initiative on the sidelines of the 2025 International Conference on Tourism, Gastronomy, and Tourist Destinations (TGDIC) in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday.
"We will focus on developing and growing tourist villages," he said, noting that Indonesia has about 6,156 such villages with strong potential for gastronomic tourism through pilot or priority programs.
Abdurrahman said gastronomy, which is closely tied to culinary arts, plays a vital role in promoting tourism. The culinary sector, he added, contributes around 41 percent of Indonesia's creative economy Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He emphasized that both the culinary and tourism sectors are driven by MSMEs, which remain the backbone of the national economy.
To strengthen regional economies and attract visitors, Abdurrahman said gastronomic tourism must use locally sourced ingredients, ensure hygienic and creative dishes, highlight cultural narratives, and leverage digital platforms for promotion.
The government, he continued, provides training on hygiene, packaging, and certification, including halal standards, as well as business mentoring, digital marketing assistance, and gastronomic incubation programs in regional culinary hubs.
He added that capital support through the People's Business Credit (KUR) program has been extended to the tourism sector, with Rp300 trillion (around US$18 billion) allocated this year. As of October 6, Rp206.2 trillion had been disbursed to 3.5 million borrowers.
Fetty Asmaniati, Rector of Trisakti Tourism Institute, expressed support for the government's effort to accelerate tourist village development through mentoring, education, and innovation. She noted that MSMEs have developed 15 tourist villages in Java and Sumatra.
"We in the education sector want to promote tourism, gastronomy, and tourist destinations so that we can help advance the country's attractions," she said.
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Translator: Dewa Ketut Sudiarta Wiguna, Cindy Frishanti Octavi
Editor: Anton Santoso
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