Regenerative tourism has become a focal point in the Indonesian government’s ongoing efforts to boost inbound tourism.
This is an approach that prioritises environmental restoration and local community empowerment over profit and seeks to grow inbound arrivals numbers in a way that does not compromise the country’s natural and human resources.
In an interview with national news agency ANTARA on Tuesday, 29th July, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, deputy of marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, remarked: “We are still focusing on promoting the added values that Indonesia has, such as cultural diversity, nature, and quality services that tend to focus more on regenerative tourism.”
Caring for culture and the environment
The Ministry’s 2024 campaign Wonderful Indonesia #KeepTheWonder invited tourists to make a positive contribution to efforts to restore and conserve the environment whilst safeguarding Indonesian culture.
At the same time, the Ministry reached out to global travel agencies, offering incentives and support to ensure their participation in the campaign.
With regard to this, Marthini said: “We need to maintain good cooperation and relationships with travel agents and tour operators from around the world.”
The marketing deputy added that the campaign team recently conducted promotional events in Europe just last month.
Last week, the group also met up with peers in Malaysia in Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang to identify areas where they could work best together.
Marthini added that, throughout August, sales missions will head to South Korea and China to promote Indonesia’s tourism services.
Activities promoting inbound tourism will also be held in India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Making things easier for global travellers
Marthini also pointed out that, to make it easier for foreign tourists to visit Indonesia, the government is striving to expand the scope of visa-on-arrival facilities and is considering expanding the scope of the temporary visa-free policy for priority countries.
She explained that the government is seeking to increase the frequency and routes of direct flights from countries that are Indonesia’s main tourism markets.
At the same time, the Indonesian government is also monitoring the current trends and concerns of the public regarding tourism activities.
Marthini concluded by saying: “With the adaptive and strategic approach, we hope that Indonesia can become a main pick for global tourists who are seeking safe, varied, and memorable destinations in Southeast Asia.”
What exactly is regenerative tourism?
Regenerative tourism refers to any form of travel that aims to leave destinations better than they were found.
As such, agencies and organisations engaged in regenerative tourism actively work to improve local ecosystems and communities, rather than just minimizing negative impacts.
It moves beyond the concept of sustainable tourism by focusing on the renewal and flourishing of places and people through tourism.
This approach puts an emphasis on ecological restoration, community engagement, and cultural preservation, fostering a deeper connection between travelers and the destination.
