Jakarta, April 18, 2025 — The Europe Today: Indonesian Minister of Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, actively promoted international collaboration to enhance the country’s tourism sector during the 37th Joint Session of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia, held in Jakarta this week.
According to an official statement released Friday, Minister Wardhana held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from international delegations on the sidelines of the conference, underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships in the global tourism landscape.
“Since the global tourism landscape is becoming more dynamic and competitive, it is vital that we build awareness of the importance of collaborating with international partners to navigate uncertainty and seize greater opportunities,” Minister Wardhana stated.
In line with this objective, the minister engaged in strategic discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation in tourism development. On Monday, April 14, she met with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili at the Mulia Hotel in Jakarta to explore potential areas of collaboration.
Her diplomatic engagements continued on Tuesday, April 15, with bilateral meetings involving officials from the Philippines and Tunisia, followed by additional talks on Wednesday with representatives from Iran, Mexico, and the Maldives.
Minister Wardhana reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s strong commitment to its collaboration with the UN Tourism and nations across East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. She stressed that Indonesia remains open to expanding partnerships in areas aligned with the Ministry’s priority programs, such as digital transformation, human resource development, and the provision of diverse, high-quality tourism experiences.
She also highlighted Indonesia’s ongoing initiatives in gastronomic tourism, wellness tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions), and the development of tourism villages as part of the country’s sustainable tourism strategy.
Additionally, Minister Wardhana emphasized Indonesia’s dedication to promoting new and deeper partnerships focused on tourism promotion, capacity-building for tourism professionals, and environmental conservation.
“This series of bilateral meetings is expected to help Indonesia strengthen its collaboration in building quality and sustainable tourism with countries across East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific,” she concluded.
The 37th Joint Session of the UN Tourism Commissions provided a vital platform for regional tourism leaders to share insights, promote innovation, and reinforce partnerships amid ongoing global challenges.
