Surabaya DPRD Deputy Views Rujak Uleg Festival as Driver of Grassroots Economy
Held at the Surabaya Expo Center (SUBEC) on Saturday (10/5), the festival was attended by around 12,000 visitors. The economic turnover during the event is claimed to have reached Rp 1.2 billion.
Laila revealed that the Rujak Uleg Festival has developed into one of Surabaya City’s flagship tourism attractions. Since 2023, the event has been included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and was selected as one of the 125 best national events.
According to her, the success of the festival should not be measured solely by its liveliness and the number of visitors. More than that, the event must provide added value to the community, particularly in driving sustainable economic activity for residents.
“Festivals like Rujak Uleg and events that bring in thousands of visitors are highly anticipated. Besides tourism, the main thing is how to drive sustainable grassroots economic activity,” said Laila in her statement on Monday (11/5/2026).
This PKB politician stated that the tourism sector has a multiplier effect on the economy. She assessed that the presence of thousands of visitors encourages food and beverage consumption, increases hotel occupancy, and boosts sales for UMKM players.
Furthermore, Laila continued, visitors from outside the city also provide positive impacts to the hospitality sector and other service businesses in Surabaya.
Building a New Economic Ecosystem
Laila revealed that the Rujak Uleg Festival should be part of a collective effort to build a new ecosystem capable of driving grassroots economic growth.
She noted that the Surabaya City Government’s step to involve UMKM players in the festival is appropriate because it provides broader opportunities for the community to experience economic benefits.
“In other words, a new ecosystem must be built to accelerate grassroots economics. Not only certain groups benefit from the event. Everyone receives the economic impact,” she said.
She also encouraged the City Government to expand similar festivals on a regular basis. According to her, there are many typical Surabaya cuisines with great potential to be developed into flagship tourism agendas, such as lontong balap.
“For that reason, we encourage derivative festivals that are scheduled regularly. Festivals that impact the residents’ economy must be expanded,” Laila advised.
Introducing Local Cuisines to the Younger Generation
Laila added that the Surabaya Tourism Office needs to position authentic foods as part of the city’s tourism destination potential. She assessed that the younger generation, especially Gen Z, may not necessarily be familiar with their own region’s local cuisines.
Laila stated that the Rujak Uleg Festival serves as an effective medium to introduce local culture through a more contemporary and appealing approach for young people.
Not only that, various community elements participated in the festival. They brought mortars complete with spices and showcased their best rujak creations, judged on taste, appearance, teamwork, and innovation.
Laila hopes that in every annual agenda, the Surabaya City Government can continue to provide space for UMKM players and deliver real benefits to the community’s economy.