Ministry of Tourism Develops Tourism Based on Geographical Indication Products

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Tourism is working to develop tourism based on Geographical Indication (GI) products in order to provide higher quality experiences for tourists. Itok Parikesit, Assistant Deputy for Tourism Product Development at the Ministry of Tourism, stated that this thematic tourism development is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Law. “Currently, the collaboration has entered the audience and initial mapping stage to identify potential products and destinations that can be developed as part of a sustainable GI Tourism ecosystem and provide added value for local communities,” Itok said when contacted in Jakarta on Monday. According to him, this aligns with the global tourism trend which has shifted from tourists merely enjoying sightseeing to seeking authentic experiences. “Tourists no longer just want to buy coffee or woven fabrics, but also want to know the story behind these products,” Itok explained. For example, coffee is not only marketed as a commodity, but also becomes an entry point for tourists to visit coffee plantations, meet farmers, follow the harvesting and processing stages, learn brewing techniques, enjoy local cuisine, and get to know the local culture. When a product is packaged into an authentic travel narrative, he said, it has the potential to increase the length of stay and tourist spending, thereby providing a greater economic impact for the region.