Government Pushes Cultural Heritage Sites as Drivers of Economy and Tourism

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, said the government aims to position national cultural heritage sites as drivers of culture-based economic growth and tourism. The initiative comes alongside the designation of hundreds of new objects as national cultural heritage sites.

During a media briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Fadli announced that the government had officially designated 430 objects as national cultural heritage sites. The addition increases the previous total of 313 sites, bringing the overall number of recognized national cultural heritage sites to 743.

He stated that proper management of cultural heritage sites could encourage the development of cultural tourism across various sectors. According to him, well-organized cultural areas have the potential to increase tourist visits while also supporting economic growth in surrounding communities.

“With this designation, what can happen is that we can gain benefits if we make use of it properly. So these sites should not become dead objects, they must remain alive,” the Minister said.

He explained that national cultural heritage sites could be utilized for cultural tourism, religious tourism, and other culture-based economic activities. Such utilization, he said, could create business opportunities for local communities and MSMEs surrounding the heritage areas.

Fadli cited the successful development of the Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple areas, which have attracted tourists following revitalization and improved site management. According to him, the increase in visitor numbers has also supported the growth of local MSMEs around the cultural tourism destinations.

Beyond cultural tourism, the government is also opening opportunities for music festivals and sports tourism activities at national cultural heritage sites. Fadli expressed hope that such activities could be tailored to the unique characteristics of each cultural heritage site across Indonesia.

The government is also encouraging MSMEs to strengthen the economic value of cultural heritage through heritage-based products. Fadli said cultural stories and identities attached to products could increase their market value while also attracting tourists.