Indonesia Pushes Culinary Tourism Upgrade After Global Recognition
- 29 Mei 2026 22:24 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Indonesia is leveraging international recognition to strengthen its culinary and gastronomic tourism sector.
- Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, emphasized this during the opening of BBTF 2026 in Nusa Dua, Bali.
- Indonesia received The New Destination Champion Award 2026 from La Liste in Paris, boosting its global tourism profile.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The awarding of the New Destination Champion Award 2026 by La Liste in Paris, France, has strengthened Indonesia’s position as a globally recognized culinary destination.
During the opening of the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026 in Nusa Dua on 28 May, Tourism Minister, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, urged improvement in gastronomic services rooted in local culture, tradition, and wisdom to boost the country’s tourism competitiveness. She said that the accolade has reinforced Indonesia’s position.
“This success is also underpinned by the inclusion of local restaurants such as August in Jakarta and Locavore NXT in Bali in this year’s list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants,” the said minister, quoted in a ministry press release confirmed in Jakarta on 29 May 2026.
The minister framed BBTF’s theme, Redefining Indonesia’s Gastronomic Journey: A Celebration of Taste, Cultures, and Sustainable Heritage, as aligned with global travel trends favoring authentic experiences, culinary travel, and sustainable tourism.
She said gastronomic offerings are now recognized as integral to the visitor experience and a reflection of Indonesia’s culture, history, and traditions.
BBTF organizer, I Putu Winastra, said the event positions gastronomy as a strategic differentiator to strengthen Bali’s standing in the global tourism market. “Through gastronomy, Bali shows that tourism is not only about destinations, but also about culture, community, and the everyday life of its people,” he said.
The minister cited national tourism statistics to underline the sector’s scale and potential, noting that Indonesia received 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025 and generated USD 18.27 billion in earnings. Out of that total, Bali accounted for 6.95 million foreign arrivals, which represents nearly 45 percent of the national figure.
“These figures show that Bali remains strong, trusted, and continues to be Indonesia’s main tourism magnet,” she said, as quoted by Antara.
The Minister said BBTF’s activities, including the B2B Travex, can drive tourism growth that benefits destination managers, businesses, and local communities. “Travex brings opportunities to expand market access and strengthen tourism business networks,” she said.
The Minister added that the event encourages development of more competitive tour packages tailored to market needs.
I Putu Winastra reported that BBTF 2026 drew 407 buyers from 44 countries and 286 sellers from four countries and 13 Indonesian provinces. International buyers were able to assess destination readiness, service quality, and cultural assets firsthand during post-event tours.
To support BBTF, the Tourism Ministry organized familiarization trips to North Sumatra, Yogyakarta, Tanjung Puting, Lombok, and Jakarta. Twenty-two participants joined the program, divided into four travel groups, as part of efforts to showcase Indonesia’s diverse tourism offerings and readiness for increased international interest. ***
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