Indonesia Highlights Growth and Global Achievements of Indonesia’s Tourism Villages
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has reaffirmed the critical role of tourism villages in bolstering Indonesia’s tourism sector and showcasing the nation’s natural and cultural wealth on the global stage. Speaking on Monday, she emphasized that tourism villages have become a grassroots-level powerhouse supporting sustainable tourism development.
“Tourism villages are one of the spearheads of Indonesia’s tourism and will remain a top priority,” Minister Wardhana stated, highlighting their potential to attract international attention and contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth.
At the 2024 Tourism Village Awards (ADWI) held in Jakarta on Sunday, the minister celebrated the warm hospitality, dedication, and determination of local residents who have worked tirelessly to develop their villages into globally competitive destinations.
She lauded the remarkable achievements of Indonesia’s tourism villages this year, notably the prestigious Best Tourism Villages UN Tourism 2024 awards received by Jatiluwih Tourism Village in Bali and Wukirsari Tourism Village in Yogyakarta. “This marks the first time Indonesia has won two ‘Best Tourism Villages’ awards in the same year,” she noted with pride.
Participation in the ADWI program has surged, with 6,016 tourism villages joining in 2024—a threefold increase since the program’s inception in 2021. Out of these, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recognized the top 50 villages for excellence across various categories.
Former Tourism Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno also spoke during the event, expressing optimism about the future. “We hope to see the emergence of outstanding young leaders capable of managing tourism villages effectively and sustainably,” he said.
The ADWI program continues to serve as a vital platform for empowering communities, preserving Indonesia’s natural and cultural heritage, and enhancing the global competitiveness of tourism villages.
