RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The structural integrity and future growth of Indonesia’s tourism industry are increasingly dependent on the strategic leadership of women, who now represent the majority of the sector’s workforce. Speaking at the virtual SDG 5 in Action 2026 event on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, emphasized that women serve as the primary pillars for both cultural preservation and economic momentum.

Ni Luh highlighted that women are not merely participants but are significant economic drivers, accounting for 54.22 percent of the national tourism workforce. Furthermore, female-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are projected to contribute a staggering USD 135 billion to the economy by the end of 2026.

This financial footprint underscores a shift where female empowerment directly correlates with national prosperity. “These figures confirm that women are the backbone of our tourism sector’s resilience. When women are empowered, the economy flourishes,” said Ni Luh in an official release confirmed Wednesday, May 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The weight of this contribution is mirrored in Indonesia’s robust 2025 performance data. The nation welcomed 15.39 million international arrivals, with visitors spending an average of USD 1,267 per trip. Domestically, travel reached 1.2 billion movements.

The tourism sector accounts for 3.96 percent of the national GDP and supports over 25.91 million jobs, generating USD 18.27 billion in foreign exchange reserves.

However, the Deputy Minister acknowledged that significant hurdles remain regarding gender parity. Citing the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, she noted that without accelerated intervention, achieving full equality could take another 123 years.

In response, the Indonesian government is intensifying gender mainstreaming policies through Presidential Instruction No. 9/2000 and various capacity-building initiatives tailored for female entrepreneurs.

Indonesia’s commitment to this cause has also gained international traction. Following its hosting of The 2nd UN Tourism Women Conference on Women Empowerment in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific in 2024, the country has positioned itself as a regional leader in advocating for gender-inclusive tourism frameworks.

Echoing this sentiment, Executive Director of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Indonesia, Agus Canny, invoked the legacy of national heroine R.A. Kartini stresses that education and equal opportunity remain the keys to sustainable development. He argued that the responsibility for closing the gender gap extends beyond women alone, requiring a collective societal shift.

“Gender equality is not just a women's issue, it is a shared responsibility. When equal opportunities are provided, society becomes stronger and more sustainable” concluded Agus. ***