RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, stated that the international awards received by Indonesia’s tourism sector are tangible proof of collective efforts and hard work by the government and all stakeholders in promoting tourism and improving service quality for visitors.

Speaking during a working meeting with House of Representatives Commission VII at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (4/2/2026), Widiyanti emphasized that the achievements belong to the entire tourism ecosystem, not solely to the Ministry of Tourism.

“These awards are not received by the Ministry alone. They reflect the contributions of local governments in developing destinations, village communities in driving tourism villages, and many other parties working together,” Widiyanti said in an official statement.

Her remarks responded to questions from lawmakers regarding the direct benefits of international tourism awards for the public. Among the recognitions highlighted were Michelin Keys awarded to 33 hotels across Indonesia, as well as Best Tourism Village and Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme honors from UN Tourism for Pemuteran Tourism Village in Bali and Osing Kemiren Tourism Village in Banyuwangi.

Widiyanti explained that international recognition not only enhances Indonesia’s tourism credibility but also serves as a concrete promotional tool. A stronger global image increases tourist interest in visiting destinations across the country, generating direct economic benefits for tourism businesses—from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to large-scale operators that absorb significant labor. These awards also function as instruments for performance evaluation and calibration within the national tourism sector.

“More than that, these achievements are a shared source of pride for all Indonesian tourism stakeholders,” she added.

Commission VII of the House of Representatives, chaired by Saleh Partaonan Daulay, encouraged the Ministry of Tourism to follow up on several recommendations. These include prioritizing budget absorption for programs with direct impacts on communities, particularly those that drive economic growth, job creation, and MSME development.

The commission also stressed the importance of maintaining consistency and quality in delivering tourism development data to the public in a transparent and accountable manner. It further urged the strengthening of equitable, integrated, and sustainable destination development policies through area planning, improved connectivity, cleanliness and hygiene management, and spatial audits coordinated across ministries and agencies.

In terms of safety, Commission VII requested the formulation of national tourism safety and security standards covering transportation, destinations, tourist activities, and supporting facilities, with regular supervision and audits. Coordination was also encouraged with post-disaster rehabilitation task forces in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra to revitalize affected destinations and restore tourism ecosystems.

Additionally, the commission called for optimized assistance for tourism villages in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped regions, as well as areas with extreme poverty, as part of poverty prevention efforts. Cross-sector cooperation on aviation investment was also promoted to increase service capacity, expand routes, and reduce airfares to tourist destinations. The commission further urged evaluation and wider distribution of events included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) calendar, ensuring consistent MSME involvement each year.

Widiyanti concluded that oversight and support from Commission VII are essential to ensure that the Ministry’s programs remain well-targeted and deliver tangible benefits for the public. The next working meeting will focus on discussing the Ministry of Tourism’s 2026 Work Program.