Minister Widiyanti: Culture is the Main Gateway to Building Indonesia's Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Berlin – As part of her official working visit to Germany, the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, along with the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the Indonesian Embassy in Germany, Fajar Wirawan Harijo, visited the Indonesian Cultural House (RBI) / Haus der Indonesischen Kulturen on Tuesday, 4 March 2026.

The Indonesian Cultural House (RBI) is an inclusive and open cultural center and public space dedicated to promoting Indonesian arts, language, and traditions to the German public and the international community. RBI serves as a meeting point for cultural interaction, both for the Indonesian diaspora and for Germans interested in Indonesian culture.

In a press release received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Thursday 5 March 2026, the Minister of Tourism visited the Indonesian language learning room, library, and angklung room, and enjoyed live performances by people from various countries studying Balinese and Javanese gamelan. The Minister of Tourism also spoke with Germans studying Indonesian and participants in arts and culture courses at the RBI, including two young German twins, Bennet and Garrett, who traveled around Indonesia learning Indonesian and also became well-known content creators among the Indonesian and German public, @raksasajerman.

Managed by the Education and Culture Attaché of the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, RBI was first launched in 2012 and then relocated and reopened to its current location, the Tiergarten area of Berlin, in 2017. Since then, RBI has served as a strategic instrument of Indonesian cultural diplomacy by building and strengthening people-to-people contact between Indonesia and Germany through various arts, culture, and education programs.

The Minister of Tourism's visit to RBI is part of an effort to strengthen Indonesian tourism promotion through a cultural approach, in line with the Wonderful Indonesia branding and the Go Beyond Ordinary campaign. Through cultural diplomacy, Indonesia presents a tourism experience that exceeds expectations, showcasing not only natural beauty but also the depth of cultural values, creativity, and local wisdom.

Indonesian Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, expressed her appreciation for the role of the Indonesian Cultural Center (RBI) and the participants, particularly Germans studying Indonesian language and culture. "Culture is the main gateway to building Indonesia's tourism appeal. Through the Indonesian Cultural Center (Rumah Budaya Indonesia), we invite the world to learn more about Indonesia, where Indonesian tourism offers authentic experiences rooted in culture, tradition, and community interaction," said the Minister of Tourism.

Meanwhile, Roniyus Marjunus, Education and Culture Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Berlin, stated that the RBI plays a strategic role in supporting tourism promotion in Germany. "The Indonesian Cultural Center (Rumah Budaya Indonesia) serves as a cultural showcase and an effective means to strengthen Indonesia's image as a leading tourism destination. Through cultural diplomacy like this, we encourage Germans to learn about and visit Indonesia in a more sustainable manner," Roniyus stated.