Not Just a Vacation! Indonesia Set to Become Global Green Tourism Hub

Indonesia's steps towards greener tourism are becoming increasingly tangible. The Ministry of Tourism reinforces this commitment through the scientific publication Tourism Snapshot Vol. 1 No. 2 Tahun 2025, a study highlighting the importance of transitioning to green tourism—not only to preserve nature but also to unlock new economic opportunities for communities.

I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani, Assistant Deputy for Strategic Management at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, emphasized that the success of this transformation depends not only on regulations but primarily on human resource readiness.

“The key to this transition lies in preparing competent human resources with standardized quality assurance. This addresses the needs of the future tourism industry,” stated Dewi in Jakarta on Tuesday.

This edition focuses on the theme Green Jobs, Green Skills, and Green Quality: Driving the Green Transition in the Tourism Sector. Three main pillars—green jobs, green skills, and green quality—form the foundation for the new direction of Indonesia's tourism sector.

According to Dewi, the green jobs section will discuss opportunities and projections for environmentally friendly labor.

Green skills focus on curriculum readiness, training, and human resource competencies.

Meanwhile, green quality highlights the importance of quality assurance and certification to align Indonesian workers with international sustainability standards.

She stressed that such studies are crucial amid climate change and the global tourism trend toward greater environmental awareness.

“This commitment aligns with the vision of international development partners who view the green transition as inevitable,” Dewi said.

Global tourism trends are indeed moving in a similar direction. Modern tourists increasingly seek destinations that are not only beautiful but also nature-friendly, empower local communities, and support sustainable economies.

To welcome this change, the Ministry of Tourism has laid strong foundations. Throughout 2022–2023, the government developed 34 competency standards as references for industry players.

These include the Indonesian National Work Competency Standards (SKKNI), Indonesian National Qualification Framework (KKNI), and various occupational schemes that already incorporate sustainable tourism principles.

“The government will also soon harmonize tourism standards across ASEAN and globally. This includes updating curricula, especially for community-based tourism or CBT, and developing certifications for strategic managerial levels,” she explained.

According to Dewi, this step aligns with the International Labour Organization's (ILO) view that the green transition is not only essential but also delivers tangible benefits.

“The ILO has affirmed this transition will create green jobs benefiting communities, the environment, and the economy. Therefore, alignment between the government and development partners is needed,” she stated.

Beyond the government, the industry and tourism education institutions also play significant roles.

They must embed sustainability values early on so Indonesian human resources can embrace this major shift.

“Labor absorption in the context of transitioning to green tourism promises positive economic potential for worker welfare,” she added.

For Dewi, green tourism isn’t just a slogan or fleeting trend. It’s a new path toward a future balancing nature, economy, and human welfare.

With trained human resources, adaptive education systems, and globally standardized certifications, Indonesia now strides toward tourism that’s not only beautiful to behold but also heals the Earth.(Antara)