Indonesia, South Korea seek stronger tourism cooperation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Tourism Ministry has explored an expanded cooperation framework with the South Korean government to drive sustainable growth across the tourism sector.

The initiative was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Indonesian Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and South Korean Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Chae Hwi Young in Macau on June 27.

According to a ministry press release confirmed on Monday, the talks focused on strengthening joint promotional campaigns with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and local travel agencies, alongside developing gastronomy as a key special-interest tourism segment.

"With a shared vision within the framework of APEC and UN Tourism, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea have a great opportunity to elevate our tourism cooperation to a more advanced level and deliver tangible benefits for both nations," Widiyanti said.

She expressed hope that the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, would unlock new investment and development opportunities across multiple strategic sectors.

Widiyanti highlighted that South Korea remains a crucial source market for international arrivals into Indonesia.

In turn, she welcomed Seoul’s recent policy implementing a temporary visa-free entry program for Indonesian tour groups, which took effect on May 28.

Through its active participation in the APEC summit, Indonesia reaffirmed its broader commitment to supporting tourism growth across the Asia-Pacific region, the ministry stated.

Jakarta's regional strategy centers on driving digital innovation, fostering cross-border collaboration, and empowering local communities and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Furthermore, the Indonesian delegation underscored its backing for the implementation of the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2025–2029, the Putrajaya Vision 2040, and the findings of a recent APEC study aimed at streamlining travel facilitation measures across the Asia-Pacific.

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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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