RRI.CO.ID, West Sumatra - Indonesia's Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, expressed her appreciation for the strong commitment of all tourism industry players in West Sumatra to developing the tourism sector as a driver of the local economy.

During a meeting with tourism industry players in Koto Gadang Tourism Village, Agam Regency, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the Minister emphasized that this working visit provided a strategic opportunity for the Ministry of Tourism to gather input and formulate joint steps to strengthen the regional tourism sector.

"Allow me to express my appreciation to the local government, associations, industry, communities, and all tourism industry players for the commitment and collaboration that has been established. This also provides an opportunity for us to hear directly about various issues, challenges, and needs, so that we can collaborate on concrete steps moving forward," the Minister conveyed.

Various aspirations emerged during the meeting, ranging from the need to develop a tourism roadmap as a long-term strategic guide to encouraging the establishment of a Tourism Polytechnic to strengthen superior and competitive human resources.

Furthermore, the issue of fulfilling and improving infrastructure quality is a primary concern for tourism industry players. Other aspirations include strengthening mentoring, promotion, international market access, and structuring the tourism accommodation sector.

The Minister of Tourism ensured that all input would be immediately followed up through coordination across ministries and agencies. He stated that accessibility is a key factor in increasing tourist visits and the competitiveness of destinations.

"We have recorded the various needs expressed, as accessibility is a crucial factor in driving increased tourist visits," said the Minister.

According to a release received by RRI Voice of Indonesia on Friday, May 1, 2026 in Jakarta, Ministry of Tourism continues to collect data, provide guidance, education, and supervision to tourism entrepreneurs. This effort is reinforced through Circular Letter of the Minister of Tourism Number 4 of 2025 concerning the Appeal for Business Licensing Registration for Tourism Accommodation Entrepreneurs.

In addition to the meeting agenda, Tourism Minister Widiyanti also personally visited several leading destinations in West Sumatra. On the second day of her visit, she visited the Panoramic Sianok Canyon in Bukittinggi, a natural area formed by the movement of the earth's fault lines and offering a stunning landscape. At the same location, she also visited the Japanese Hole, a historic tunnel built during the Japanese occupation around 1942.

"This beauty is not only a feast for the eyes, but also reminds us of the importance of maintaining a balance between tourism development and environmental sustainability," the Minister conveyed.

The visit continued to Koto Gadang Tourism Village, known for its cool air, well-preserved colonial architecture, and rich cultural heritage, including silver crafts and embroidery. This village also won the second-best award in the culture-based tourism village category at the 2025 Wonderful Indonesia Awards.

The Minister assessed that Koto Gadang offers not only beauty but also strong historical value as the birthplace of national figures such as Sutan Sjahrir, Agus Salim, and Sheikh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi.