Indonesia Lawmakers Call for Sustainable Tourism Zoning

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian lawmaker Novita Hardini has called for the country’s tourism development to be firmly grounded in ecological spatial planning and zoning systems, while also ensuring clear price regulations for local small businesses operating around tourist destinations.

Speaking in Jakarta on Thursday, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician said Indonesia holds vast potential to become a global tourism hub catering to diverse international travelers. “Some visitors come for nature, some for culture, and others for business,” she noted, emphasizing that zoning should be designed around these varied experiences rather than relying solely on events and branding campaigns led by the Tourism Ministry.

Novita stressed that sustainable tourism must be treated as a strategic choice, not just a slogan. “Indonesia should not only be crowded with visitors but also respected as a world-class destination,” she said.

She added that long-term vision is essential for building a strong foundation. “If the foundation is solid, branding will follow naturally.”

Her remarks came a day after Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana reported strong growth in the sector throughout 2025. The ministry recorded 13.98 million foreign arrivals by November, a year-on-year increase of 10.44 percent. Projections suggest total arrivals for the year could reach 15.3 million, surpassing government targets.

Tourism revenue also surged, with foreign exchange earnings from January to September 2025 reaching USD 13.82 billion.

Minister Widiyanti said the rise in international visitors has become a key driver of foreign exchange performance, strengthening Indonesia’s tourism balance sheet. “This surplus has the potential to reinforce the sustainability of our tourism sector,” she told lawmakers during a working meeting at the House of Representatives complex in Senayan, Jakarta. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)