To West Sumatra, Tourism Minister Gives Appreciation and Receives Aspirations from Tourism Actors
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana has given appreciation to tourism industry players in West Sumatra for successfully building a more vibrant tourism sector that has become the engine of the local economy.
“Allow me to convey my appreciation to the local government, associations, industry, communities, and all tourism industry players for the commitment and collaboration that has been established. This also serves as a momentum for us to directly hear various issues, challenges, and needs, so that we can collaborate to turn them into concrete steps forward,” said Tourism Minister Widiyanti in her official statement on Friday.
Nevertheless, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed, starting from the need to compile a tourism roadmap as a long-term strategic guide, to encouraging the presence of a Tourism Polytechnic to strengthen superior and competitive human resources.
According to them, challenges come from several aspects, such as issues of fulfilling and improving the quality of infrastructure, then encompassing strengthening of assistance, promotion, international market access, as well as organising the tourism accommodation sector.
The Tourism Minister assured that all inputs will be promptly followed up through coordination across ministries and institutions. According to her, accessibility is a key factor in increasing tourist visits and the competitiveness of destinations.
In the aspect of organising accommodation, the Ministry of Tourism continues to conduct data collection, guidance, education, and supervision of tourism entrepreneurs.
This effort is strengthened through the Minister of Tourism’s Circular Letter Number 4 of 2025 on the Call for Business Licensing Registration for Tourism Accommodation Entrepreneurs.
Business legality is emphasised not merely as an administrative aspect, but as a guarantee of security standards, professionalism, and contribution to state and regional revenues.
“A valid business licence is an important part of tourism governance. We continue to encourage accommodation entrepreneurs who are not yet licensed to immediately complete their licensing through the OSS system,” said the Tourism Minister.
Furthermore, the Tourism Minister also visited Koto Gadang Tourism Village, which is known for its cool air, well-preserved colonial architecture, and cultural richness in the form of silver crafts and embroidery, as well as Istano Basa Pagaruyung in Tanah Datar Regency, a replica of the Pagaruyung Kingdom palace that symbolises the glory of Minangkabau culture.