Government supports strengthening event business ecosystem

The Ministry of Tourism is supporting the strengthening of the event and activity business ecosystem through the Event by Indonesia programme and Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN). “This programme is an effort related to organising quality events that are characteristic of Indonesia, which elevate Indonesia’s name on the global stage,” said Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday. During the press conference regarding the implementation of priority programmes and increasing national tourism competitiveness, she emphasised that organising events has a direct impact on the development of tourist destinations. According to her, organising events and activities presents job and business opportunities for residents, artists, and entrepreneurs, as well as generating a multiplier effect in tourist areas. In an effort to support the improvement of the event organising business, Event by Indonesia is presented as a digital platform to channel information about various events and activities throughout Indonesia. The platform makes it easier for residents and tourists to access information regarding upcoming event and activity calendars, ticket and accommodation purchasing services, event line-ups including performer lists, as well as the latest event and activity information. Meanwhile, Karisma Event Nusantara, or KEN, encompasses the organisation of various events and activities in the regions that provide a space for cultural expression and a platform for collaboration. Minister Widiyanti stated that KEN events held from 1 January to 20 June 2026 attracted 2.46 million visitors. The organisation of events during that period involved 7,207 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as 61,868 workers, artists, and community members. The economic turnover during the event organisation throughout that period was recorded at a total value of Rp196.97 billion. The organisation of these national and international level events was recorded to have involved 1,326 MSMEs and more than 18,016 arts workers and community members, and attracted over 614,731 visitors. The Minister of Tourism said that the organisation of a number of large-scale festivals and performances in the second half of 2026 will have a significant impact on the economy. Performances and festivals scheduled to take place in the second semester of 2026 include the BTS concert titled ‘ARIRANG’, The Weeknd’s ‘After Hours Til Dawn Tour’ concert, and We The Fest. “As of the end of June, there are 11 MICE events that we have provided support for, and two of them have been assessed for their benefits,” said the Minister of Tourism. “These two events generated fantastic potential transactions, amounting to Rp485.5 billion, as well as potential foreign exchange of around Rp347.6 billion,” she added. The Minister of Tourism is optimistic that the various events and activities organised until the end of 2026 will contribute positively to the improvement of the national economy. Information regarding the 2026 event and activity calendar can be accessed on the Visit Indonesia page on the indonesia.travel website. Further information can be accessed by clicking the Calendar of Events option. “We invite the public to make the Calendar of Events a reference, find events that match their interests, and take the time to enjoy the various experiences offered at destinations throughout Indonesia,” said Widiyanti.