KUALA LUMPUR - The Antara reported, Indonesia’s Tourism Ministry will strengthen small businesses and creative industries through several key programmes next year.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said the ministry will continue improving tourism attractions while supporting MSMEs and creative economy players.

“We will continue tourism attraction curation, support MSMEs and creative economy players, and expand the Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet and Wellness programs,” Widiyanti said at a working meeting with Commission VII of the House of Representatives.

She said business mentoring linked to destination development will also be expanded.

She noted that 96.3% of the 2.55 million tourism enterprises registered in the Online Single Submission system are MSMEs.

These MSMEs include hotels, restaurants, cafes, travel agencies, leisure venues, and other tourism services.

She said capacity building will remain a priority through competency-based training that helps tourism workers gain better skills.

The ministry also plans to develop new travel routes focusing on cultural heritage, Muslim-friendly tourism, and marine tourism.

These new travel plans will include MSMEs and creative industry players to create curated experiences for visitors.

Support for MSMEs in priority regions such as North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, and Yogyakarta will be strengthened through local implementing bodies.

Widiyanti also highlighted the expansion of S’RASA, a programme aimed at promoting Indonesian cuisine abroad.

She said the initiative will support restaurants, food curation, and menu standardisation to help Indonesian culinary players compete globally.

Using MSME products and creative works in tourism, she added, helps build emotional connections with international visitors.

“We are committed to providing more space for MSMEs and artists through events and promotion,” she added.

Commission VII chairman Saleh Partaonan Daulay urged the ministry to create more structured programmes that empower MSMEs and the creative economy.

He also encouraged the ministry to maximise tourism opportunities linked to local products such as coffee and other natural resources.