Analyzing Gastronomy Transformation Strategies as a Sustainable Economy

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy (WIG) Talks 2026 officially kicked off at the Grand Hotel De Djokja, featuring 22 speakers—ranging from government officials and industry players to artists and academics—to explore the development of gastronomy as both a cultural identity and a driver of the sustainable economy.

In the opening session titled "Gastronomy as Identity and Industry: Indonesia's Socio-Economic Engine"—moderated by Vinsensius Jemadu, a Principal Policy Analyst for Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Ministry of Tourism—policymakers gathered to discuss the power of gastronomy from cultural, tourism, and regional development perspectives.

The speakers included Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Bendara, Head of the Kawedanan Hageng Nitya Budaya (Cultural Affairs Division) of the Yogyakarta Palace and Chairperson of the Yogyakarta Special Region Tourism Promotion Board (BPPD DIY); Ramlan Nurmatias, Mayor of Bukittinggi; and Atika Nur Rahmania, a representative of Jakarta Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda).

GKR Bendara emphasized that gastronomy tourism in Yogyakarta goes beyond merely serving food; it encompasses sharing backstories, offering cultural experiences, and ensuring the sustainability of local food sources.

According to her, gastronomy is not merely a matter of taste but also an understanding of the philosophy and identity behind a dish. A well-documented history is one of the strengths that gives Yogyakarta’s gastronomy a unique character compared to other regions.

On the same occasion, GKR Bendara introduced two rare culinary specialties from the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY): nasi golong gilig and dawet sambal. She believes that dawet sambal—which combines sweet dawet (cendol), spicy peanut sauce, and tofu—has great potential as a tourist attraction if supported by the right narrative and promotion.

"Sometimes, people reject dawet sambal as soon as they hear the name, because they wonder how a sweet dawet can contain chili sauce. It is a sweet dawet but includes spicy peanut sauce; it has tofu but also dawet," she explained.

Echoing GKR Bendara’s sentiments, the Mayor of Bukittinggi, Ramlan Nurmatias, emphasized that gastronomy needs to be presented through strong storytelling rooted in cultural values. He cited traditional dishes like rendang as examples; they possess not only a distinctive flavor but also hold philosophical significance.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, 3 October 2026, strengthening the narrative is crucial because Indonesian cuisine offers more than just flavor; it embodies history, cultural diversity, abundant ingredients, community creativity, and national identity—all of which can serve as a powerful catalyst for Indonesian tourism on the global stage. Through the WIG Talks and Forum 2026, the Ministry of Tourism hopes that the ideas, experiences, and best practices emerging from the event will serve as a reference for strengthening the national gastronomy ecosystem.

Collaboration among the government, industry, communities, academia, artists, business players, and various stakeholders is expected to further solidify gastronomy’s position as a cultural and economic force, while elevating the richness of Indonesian flavors from local tradition to global recognition.