Indonesia’s Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana met with global stakeholders in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday to advance quality, sustainable, and competitive tourism development.
Speaking at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026, Widiyanti highlighted joint marketing campaigns with Agoda, integrating Indonesian destinations into the global ecosystem, boosting exposure, bookings, and repeat visits from international tourists.
Widiyanti met Agoda Chief Commercial Officer Damien Pfirsch to strengthen strategic cooperation, focusing on digital transformation, sustainable growth, and programs such as "Eco Deals," which align with Indonesia’s national policy on sustainable tourism.
"This initiative is fully aligned with Indonesia’s shift toward quality-oriented sustainable tourism," she said, emphasizing the country’s focus on long-term, responsible development.
She highlighted the development of tourism human resources through initiatives like Agoda Academy and training programs at Indonesian Tourism Polytechnic, aiming to improve service quality and support long-term tourism growth.
The minister also engaged with the United States-ASEAN Business Council, stressing strategic planning, private sector collaboration, and continuous dialogue to achieve sustainable tourism development while addressing environmental and logistical challenges.
Widiyanti discussed cruise tourism potential and the importance of partnerships with industry leaders including Visa, Marriott, Expedia, Airbnb, and Royal Caribbean Group, to reach Indonesia’s 2026 target of 16-17.6 million international arrivals.
She concluded that such collaborations enhance connectivity, infrastructure, and efficiency through data and digital technology, in line with Indonesia’s national tourism transformation agenda.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti, Martha Herlinawati Simanj
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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