Malay Culture as the Driving Force of Tourism on Penyengat Island, Riau Islands

Indonesia’s National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) assesses that Penyengat Island in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands, has substantial potential to evolve into an orange economy zone based on the strengths of Malay culture. The orange economy is a model centred on creativity, culture, arts, and innovation, where economic value is generated from ideas, skills, and intellectual wealth. Bappenas Director of Planning for Productivity Enhancement and Thematic Development, Uke Mohammad Hussein, stated that the orange economy potential on Penyengat Island is considerable if managed optimally. In his view, Riau Islands could serve as a national example of how a creativity- and culture-based economic sector can drive regional growth. Uke explained that the orange economy is an economic sector reliant on creativity, arts, culture, and innovation, capable of converting intellectual wealth into employment and economic benefits. Penyengat Island, renowned as a hub of Malay culture and an important historical site, is deemed to possess strong cultural capital that has not yet been fully maximised for bolstering tourism economy. “The potential of Penyengat Island’s historical and cultural assets remains very significant, but it has not fully impacted the enhancement of the area’s economy,” said Uke. Nevertheless, he commended the ongoing development of the historical cultural area by both central and local governments in recent years. Uke noted that Penyengat Island currently features a comprehensive cultural narrative and tourism packages. However, tourism promotion and marketing are considered in need of expansion to boost the added value of the tourism sector. “There is already storytelling and tourism packages. Now, promotion needs to be broadened further,” he stated. Additionally, Bappenas encourages the reinforcement of Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) involving government, the private sector, and community groups. Strengthening DMOs is viewed as crucial to ensure integrated and sustainable management of tourism destinations.