Tourism and Energy Projects Can Coexist, Expert Says

Jakarta – Tourism alongside energy projects, including the Mount Ungaran Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) project and the Bandungan area in Semarang Regency, Central Java, can coexist, allowing the potential of both sectors to be developed optimally.

Efforts to achieve this must be supported by dialogue and effective collaboration among the relevant stakeholders, as well as planning that aligns energy development, environmental conservation and regional economic growth.

Tourism observer and former chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), Bambang Mintosih, said geothermal development and tourism should be considered within the broader context of regional development.

The member of the Central Java Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Advisory Board said clean energy sources could help strengthen the foundations of development, while tourism continued to build attractions and economic activities suited to the area’s characteristics.

“The key is to create space for dialogue and discussion involving all stakeholders,” Bambang said in a statement on Friday (16 October 2026).

He stressed that tourism development could not rely solely on natural beauty; it also needed a wider range of attractions, community creativity and stronger local business ecosystems.

In this context, geothermal development should be communicated and planned openly so that different interests can be taken into account, including the sustainability of tourist destinations and the economic benefits for local communities.

“All parts of the tourism ecosystem need to be involved, from destination managers, hotel businesses and souvenir centres to travel agents, communities, residents and the government. This dialogue is important for identifying opportunities, anticipating challenges and ensuring that every development initiative adds value to the region,” Bambang said.

He said Bandungan and its surrounding areas had opportunities to enrich the visitor experience through activity-based tourism and local creativity.

One possibility is sports tourism, which has positive prospects as public enthusiasm for sporting activities grows. Running events, for example, could attract domestic and foreign visitors and help stimulate local businesses.

Bambang added that locally produced coffee developed by young people and creative entrepreneurs could also be promoted through culinary tourism, wellness tourism and other alternative visitor experiences.