Minister Widiyanti: JFC Develops World-Class Art Tourism in Jember
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the staging of the Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC) 2026 has developed art-based tourism in Jember, East Java, to a quality of international scale.
“We are not merely witnessing a carnival. We are witnessing a grand idea that creativity is a force capable of building identity, driving the economy, and introducing Indonesia to the world,” said Widiyanti in an official statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
During her visit to JFC 2026 on Sunday (26 July), Widiyanti said the arts and cultural festival strengthens Indonesia’s tourism image globally and has a tangible impact on regional economic growth through the development of the creative industries, empowerment of MSMEs, and job creation.
The blend of fashion, performing arts, culture, and creativity makes JFC a stage showcasing the nation’s youth’s ability to produce works capable of attracting tourists from various countries.
She assessed that JFC’s consistency in maintaining the quality of its staging has made it one of the best events in Indonesia. This is reflected in its success in being included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) for six consecutive years since 2021.
JFC also makes a tangible contribution to the regional economy. At the 2025 edition, JFC attracted 557,509 domestic tourists and 284 foreign tourists, involved 106 MSME players, 2,643 arts workers, and 558 workers, with an economic turnover value reaching Rp60.21 billion.
Therefore, Widiyanti expressed hope that JFC will continue to develop as a world-class fashion carnival that further strengthens the competitiveness of Indonesian tourism while delivering greater benefits to the community.
“This year, 99 per cent of the creative content is already in the hands of our young generation. We are only providing guidance to ensure the values of the Jember Fashion Carnaval are preserved,” she said.
The Jember Fashion Carnaval 2026 was held on 24–26 July 2026 under the theme “HEAL: Humanity, Earth and Life”. The theme invites the public to build a more harmonious relationship between humanity, the earth, and life through creative works that carry a message of environmental preservation.
This message was embodied through four main agendas and eight theatrical defiles highlighting humanitarian values, cultural diversity, and care for the environment. This creative approach strengthens tourism’s role as an educational medium whilst supporting the development of high-quality and sustainable tourism.