Minister Widiyanti: Gastronomy and Hospitality Strengthen Indonesian Tourism at FHI 2026

Food & Hospitality Indonesia (FHI) 2026 was officially opened on Tuesday (21 July) at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Kemayoran, Jakarta.

Entering its 20th edition, FHI has reaffirmed its position as a strategic Business-to-Business (B2B) platform bringing together national and global industry players to expand trade access, investment and cross-border business collaboration.

The opening of FHI 2026 was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Deputy for Cultural Creativity and Design at the Ministry of Creative Economy, Yuke Sri Rahayu, along with Country General Manager of PT Pamerindo Indonesia, Lia Indriasari, and Portfolio Director of Food & Hospitality Indonesia, Meysia Stephannie, as organisers.

In her address, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said FHI 2026 represents an important moment to strengthen the connection between the food, beverage, hospitality and tourism industries as a whole.

According to her, developing these sectors is one of the keys to improving the quality of the tourist experience whilst strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesian destinations in the global market.

“Indonesian tourism today offers destinations and experiences through gastronomy and hospitality service quality that have become strategic assets in strengthening the image of Wonderful Indonesia,” said Widiyanti.

She added that in support of this, the presence of FHI plays an important role as a platform connecting local producers with international buyers, encouraging investment and building partnerships.

“This step is to realise a more innovative, resilient and globally competitive Indonesian tourism ecosystem,” she continued.

Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) show the Indonesian economy grew 5.61 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026. By business field, the accommodation and food and beverage sector recorded the highest growth at 13.14 per cent, whilst government consumption rose 21.81 per cent.

The outlook for Indonesia’s food, beverage and hospitality industry continues to show a positive trend, contributing around 2.68 per cent to national gross domestic product (GDP), or approximately Rp639 trillion in 2025.

These conditions reflect rising economic activity as well as strong demand for the hospitality and food service sector, which has become one of the drivers of national economic growth.

At the same event, Teuku Riefky Harsya, Minister of Creative Economy, said this demonstrates that Indonesia has a strong domestic market with promising investment prospects.

“The hospitality, food and beverage industries play an important role in driving innovation, opening business opportunities and creating added value. That is why every meeting and exhibition related to this ecosystem can be the beginning of a major collaboration,” said Teuku Riefky.

He invited business players, professionals, academics and the public to attend Food & Hospitality Indonesia (FHI) 2026. Going forward, FHI is expected to continue serving as a strategic platform bringing industry players together to build partnerships, improve competitiveness and support the development of a high-quality, sustainable business ecosystem.

Portfolio Director of Food & Hospitality Indonesia 2026, Meysia Stephanie, said that over more than three decades of operation, FHI has grown into an international business platform connecting industry players from various countries with Indonesian producers and businesses.

“Indonesia is entering a new growth phase for the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Amid rising investment and market demand, industry players need more than just exhibition space — they need an ecosystem capable of bringing together innovation, investment and global collaboration,” she said.

Meysia added that through FHI 2026, the organisers wish to open up broader market access and encourage the birth of strategic partnerships that will improve the competitiveness of Indonesian industry whilst expanding its role in the global supply chain.

Over four days from 21–24 July 2026, thousands of products, technologies and solutions for the food, beverage and hospitality industries are on display. To strengthen its role as an international trade platform, FHI 2026 is held alongside Hotelex Indonesia, Fine Furniture & Deco Asia (FFDA) and PROPAK Indonesia.

This synergy creates a more comprehensive industry ecosystem and opens up more cross-sector collaboration opportunities within a single business destination.

More than 500 companies from 32 countries are participating this year, including Asia Farm, Greenfields Professional, JAPFA Food, Long Beach Beverage Solution, Queen Food, Bella Cuisine Korea, Koch Backen, Robot Coupe, Unox, Nayati, Sango Hospitality, Indo Porcelain, Gea Getra, Chair Culture, and hundreds of other national and international companies presenting a wide range of innovations and integrated solutions for the food, beverage and hospitality industries.

Participation from companies based in Australia, the United States, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and numerous other countries further confirms FHI’s position as Indonesia’s leading international B2B trade fair and a strategic gateway for global industry players seeking to reach the Indonesian and Southeast Asian markets.

FHI 2026 strengthens its role as a business platform through the FHI Business Matching Programme, which will facilitate more than 2,000 business meetings between exhibitors and potential buyers from home and abroad over the four days of the event.

The programme is designed to accelerate strategic partnerships, expand market access and open up new investment opportunities. In support of this, FHI 2026 also hosts a variety of seminars, workshops and national and international competitions aimed at improving human resource competence, encouraging innovation and strengthening collaboration among industry players.

One of the featured events is the Tea Masters Cup (TMC), a prestigious competition for tea professionals held once again to raise the quality of the national tea industry. Indonesian Tea Specialist Oza Sudewo said TMC is not merely a competition, but part of an effort to build a more advanced Indonesian tea ecosystem.

“The Tea Masters Cup aims to improve the quality of human resources across the entire tea industry chain, from farmers and tea masters to business players and educators. As the quality of its human resources continues to develop, the Indonesian tea industry will become more competitive and gain wider recognition globally,” said Oza.

FHI 2026 also hosts the World Fashion Drinks Competition (WFDC) Indonesia Division, an international non-alcoholic beverage creation competition that forms part of a global competition network initiated by Sinoexpo. The event serves as a stage for Indonesian mixologists and baristas to demonstrate their creativity and compete for the opportunity to represent Indonesia at the world-level competition.

In the coffee sector, the Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia (SCAI) is once again presenting the Indonesia Barista Championship (IBC) as a selection event for Indonesia’s best baristas en route to the World Barista Championship. Meanwhile, the Indonesia Sommelier Association (ISA) is organising a Wine Masterclass providing basic wine education for hospitality industry professionals.

The educational programme is further strengthened through Workshop Sessions with the Association of Culinary Professionals (ACP), featuring chefs and culinary practitioners in hands-on masterclasses. In addition, LPPOM MUI and state logistics firm Perum BULOG are hosting an Industry Seminar discussing the implementation of mandatory halal certification for food products and strategies to strengthen national food security.

More than just a trade fair, FHI 2026 presents a business ecosystem designed to accelerate the birth of collaborations, investments and new trade opportunities. Through the FHI Business Matching Programme, exhibitors are systematically matched with potential buyers, distributors, importers, hotel and restaurant operators, and investors from various countries.

The business experience is supported by various facilities designed to improve the effectiveness of interaction among industry players, such as the Business Matching Lounge, Buyers Concierge, Customer Insights Corner, Leadgrab Counter, FHI Lounge, a Wellness Corner with Perfect Health, and shuttle services.

Through this integrated ecosystem, FHI serves not only as a meeting point for sellers and buyers, but also as a venue for the birth of strategic partnerships, investments and innovations that strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian industry in the global market.

In line with global industry developments, FHI 2026 is also strengthening its commitment to sustainability through various initiatives.

These include the Better Stands Programme, exhibition waste management with Ecoloop, food waste management in collaboration with FoodCycle Farm, drinking water refill stations provided by Waterhub, the collection of used cooking oil to be processed into sustainable aviation fuel with Noovoleum, electric vehicle charging stations provided by SKKTAMA, and the Beyond Coffee programme in collaboration with Kopi Kamu x POTADS involving baristas with Down syndrome.

“We are optimistic that FHI 2026 will be a catalyst for the birth of innovations, investments and strategic partnerships that will determine the direction of this industry’s growth going forward. We will continue to strengthen FHI’s role as Indonesia’s leading international B2B trade fair in order to drive sustainable industry growth,” explained Meysia.

Food & Hospitality Indonesia (FHI) 2026 runs until 24 July 2026 at Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo), Kemayoran, Jakarta.

Industry players and professionals wishing to explore the latest innovations, expand their business networks and take part in the seminars, competitions and business matching programme can still visit via the Advance Ticket Sales (ATS) programme at a cost of Rp150,000.

Registration is also available on-site at a cost of Rp250,000 for access to all four days of the exhibition.

Further information on registration and the full programme of FHI 2026 activities is available at www.foodhospitalityindonesia.com and through Food & Hospitality Indonesia’s official accounts on Instagram (@foodhospitalityindonesia_fhi), Facebook and LinkedIn (Food & Hospitality Indonesia), and YouTube (Food & Hospitality Series_ID).