Indonesia Aims for Economic Boost with 6,000 Tourism Villages in 2024
Sentul, The Gulf Observer: Indonesian Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno unveiled ambitious plans to create 6,000 tourism villages in 2024 as part of a strategic initiative to enhance national economic growth. The announcement was made following Uno’s public lecture on the Blue Ocean Strategy Fellowship (BOSF) in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Sunday.
Out of Indonesia’s 80 thousand villages, Minister Uno identified approximately 7,500 villages with untapped tourism potential. His vision is to reach 80 percent of these villages, translating to around 6,000 tourism villages that could significantly contribute to the national gross domestic product (GDP).
“If we reach 80 percent of them, around 6,000 villages, they can contribute 4.5 percent to the national GDP,” said Minister Uno during the lecture.
The minister highlighted that the realization of the 6,000 tourism villages target would not only have economic implications but also generate 4.4 million jobs within the creative economy sector. He emphasized that villages, particularly among the younger generation, are hubs of innovation and creativity, leading to the development of unique and marketable products that can enhance the appeal of these tourism villages.
The push for tourism village development stems from the notable 30 percent growth in visits to tourism villages post-COVID-19. Minister Uno underscored the positive impact of these villages on the national economy, driving the government’s commitment to further support their development.
Currently, two Indonesian tourism villages, Nglanggeran Tourism Village in Yogyakarta and Panglipuran Tourism Village in Bali, have achieved global recognition. Minister Uno expressed his determination to build on these successes and propel more villages to international acclaim.
The initiative aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy to capitalize on its diverse cultural and natural assets to boost tourism and creative economic activities. Minister Uno’s forward-looking approach aims to position Indonesia as a global tourism destination while fostering local economic development through the promotion of tourism villages.
