Jakarta Government Prepares Year-Long Cultural Agenda Ahead of 500th Anniversary

The Jakarta Provincial Government is preparing a calendar of cultural and tourism activities for the full year leading up to the 500th anniversary of Jakarta City in 2027, aiming to strengthen its position as a global city while providing programme certainty for the tourism and hospitality industry. “We are designing a calendar of events from January to December 2027. Every month there will be international-scale activities because Jakarta is moving towards becoming a global city,” said Deputy Governor of Jakarta Rano Karno in a statement on Saturday. He said the effort also serves as a guide for the tourism and hospitality sector to prepare various attractions supporting the events. According to Rano, cultural activities need to be designed not only as spaces for preservation but also as drivers of tourist visits and the city’s economy. He noted that the series of events from Christmas celebrations through to Eid al-Fitr, for example, had generated economic turnover of around Rp68 trillion. “The target is certainly to increase the number of tourist visits. With increased visits, Jakarta’s fiscal position also grows,” said Rano. Additionally, the hospitality industry is being invited to expand the promotion of Betawi culture through culinary offerings, art performances, and uniquely Jakartan experiences for tourists. Rano expressed hope that collaboration with the hospitality sector could bring Betawi culture closer to visitors. Forms of this collaboration include serving traditional cuisine, staging traditional dance performances, and welcoming guests with Betawi nuances. “We have around 15 hotels already cooperating with the Jakarta Provincial Government. This is part of the effort to elevate Betawi culture through various activities that are close to tourists,” Rano revealed.