RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Widiyanti, attended Virtual Kick-off of the Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026" on Tuesday April 14, 2026. He said that the event now in its second year, is the highest form of recognition for actors, managers, and stakeholders who have made significant contributions to the transformation of Indonesian tourism.

"The Wonderful Indonesia Awards 2026 is not just a ceremony, but rather the implementation of a program to raise standards and ensure the development of globally competitive Indonesian tourism," Minister Widiyanti said.

The Wonderful Indonesia Awards are held to maintain the direction of Indonesian tourism, which must continue to grow into a dignified, sustainable sector that delivers real impact.

The Minister also emphasized five main focuses that will become the new standards for Indonesian tourism: destination quality, quality of human resource services, quality of products and attractions, environmental sustainability, and impactful events.

"Tourism development cannot proceed in isolation. Solid collaboration is required between the central and regional governments, industry, and strategic partners. Therefore, I invite all regional governments and private partners to make the Wonderful Indonesia Awards part of their efforts to raise standards, strengthen implementation, and ensure the development of Indonesian tourism," the Minister of Tourism conveyed.

The 2026 Wonderful Indonesia Awards carries the theme "Archipelagic Harmony for Quality and Sustainable Tourism." This theme was chosen as a manifestation of our commitment to providing tourism that not only excels in quality but also aligns with environmental and cultural preservation.

According to a release received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday April 14, 2026, this year, the Wonderful Indonesia Awards presents 11 award categories designed to encourage best practices in the industry, ranging from tourism village governance to inspirational leadership. The categories include:

•⁠ ⁠Best Tourism Village

•⁠ ⁠Best Tourism Village

•⁠ ⁠Sustainable Restaurant

•⁠ ⁠Best Co-brand Partner Collaboration

•⁠ ⁠Best Tourism Partner 2026

•⁠ ⁠Best Tourism Content Creator

•⁠ ⁠Most Inspirational Tourism Leader

•⁠ ⁠Tourism Champion 2026

•⁠ ⁠Best Tourism Village Partner Collaboration

•⁠ ⁠Green KEN 2026

•⁠ ⁠Key Figures in the MICE Industry

Acting Deputy for Event Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Vinsensius Jemadu, stated that the "Kick-off for the 2026 Wonderful Indonesia Awards" event invited 38 Governors or their representatives; 514 Regents and Mayors throughout Indonesia; relevant Ministries and Institutions; and representatives of partner associations, corporations; and, of course, media from across Indonesia.

"This event aims to provide information on the implementation mechanism of the 2026 Wonderful Indonesia Awards while also increasing awareness and participation from all tourism stakeholders. Through this event, we hope to foster commitment and collaboration in supporting the 2026 Wonderful Indonesia Awards," Vinsensius said.