Deputy Minister Highlights Strategic Role of Gastronomy in Tourism

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa has stressed the strategic position of gastronomy for the development of Indonesia’s tourism sector. ‘I invite tourism industry players to continue collaborating. We are not only focusing on the number of tourist visits, but also on delivering quality and sustainable tourism experiences that provide long-term economic impact for the community,’ she said in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday. Ni Luh stated that gastronomy is not merely part of the tourist experience, but also represents regional cultural identity and opens economic opportunities for the community. Therefore, she called on all tourism sector stakeholders to strengthen collaboration with the government in formulating and implementing programmes that can enhance the quality of the national tourism industry. This opportunity needs to be highlighted by various parties because Indonesia remains an attractive destination for both international and domestic tourists despite global geopolitical dynamics and uncertainty. This is evidenced by data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showing that the number of foreign tourist arrivals and domestic tourist trips from January to May 2026 grew compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, from January to May 2026, Indonesia recorded 6.07 million foreign tourist arrivals, an increase of 7.68 percent compared to the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, domestic tourist trips from January to May 2026 reached 523.22 million trips, up 2.86 percent from 508.67 million trips in January to May 2025. On the occasion, Ni Luh also appreciated the organisation of the Nusantara Food & Hotel Expo 2026 as a collaborative space that brings together culinary, food and beverage, and hospitality industry players to strengthen Indonesia’s tourism value chain. ‘The synergy built through this exhibition is expected to strengthen the tourism and hospitality industry ecosystem in Indonesia to be more innovative and inclusive in facing global market dynamics,’ she said. The Nusantara Food & Hotel Expo 2026 takes place from 9 to 12 July 2026 at Hall 3 ICE BSD City, South Tangerang. The exhibition features 12 categories of the food and hospitality industry, including meat and poultry, dairy products, seafood and cold chain, frozen and processed foods, coffee and tea, food ingredients and spices, bakery and pastry, natural and organic products, beverages, hospitality and supplies, HORECA equipment, and hospitality technology and operations. She expressed hope that the event would generate innovation and collaboration that provide broader benefits down to the industry’s supply chain.