New Indonesian Tourism Minister Sets Forth Key Initiatives

Incoming Indonesian Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has outlined four major programs that she plans to implement during her first six months in office. According to Detik.com, the newly appointed minister shared her priorities during a handover ceremony with outgoing Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno on Monday, October 21, 2024.

Minister Widiyanti’s main goals include gathering feedback from tourism industry stakeholders as part of a broader transformation of the national tourism sector. Among her initiatives is the introduction of Tourism 5.0, focusing on promoting a digital event calendar and incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance travel assistance.

Following these steps, the minister will develop a comprehensive strategy that utilizes the Indonesia Quality Tourism Fund. This will aim to diversify tourism activities, organize international events, and collaborate with top-tier global institutions to foster knowledge transfer, helping establish a world-class center of excellence for tourism education.

The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) has urged the new minister to implement policies that promote cultural tourism, particularly in Bali. With 30 years of experience as a businesswoman and investor, Widiyanti has emphasized her dedication to advancing the country’s tourism sector.

Indonesia currently ranks 22nd among 119 nations in the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI). “I am committed to maintaining the positive momentum within our tourism sector. Moving forward, we will face challenges, but I am confident in our ability to strengthen Indonesia’s tourism potential,” said the minister.