Jam Gadang Centennial, Ministry of Tourism Strengthens West Sumatra Tourism Branding

The historic city of Bukittinggi in West Sumatra is back in the spotlight. The government through the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) reaffirmed its commitment to elevate this region's charm to the global stage.

Tourism Minister (Menpar) Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized this full support during her working visit to Bukittinggi, accompanied by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah.

"We certainly provide strong support. Bukittinggi Tourism is truly iconic. We came to hear from local governments about what support is needed for this Tourism destination," she stated.

This support ranges from investment and basic infrastructure development to strengthening promotional strategies through curated Travel packages.

"We want to create travel patterns and tour packages that we can sell at international expos. If regional budgets allow participation in international expos with us, that would be highly anticipated," Widiyanti added.

At the city's heart, Jam Gadang stands as both a timekeeper and historical witness. The clock tower has endured through the colonial Dutch era, Japanese occupation, and Indonesia's independence—a living symbol in Minangkabau cultural narratives.

"Historically this is very significant. Bukittinggi once served as the nation's capital. Jam Gadang also marks 100 years since its 1926 construction," she noted.

Widiyanti personally inspected the structure and observed its architectural details.

"The final Minangkabau-inspired gonjong roof design is fascinating. We've been invited to attend Jam Gadang's centennial celebration in June," she revealed.

The century milestone positions Bukittinggi to strengthen its place on the World Tourism map.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana at Jam Gadang Monument" width="100%" />

Mayor Ramlan Nurmatias views this visit as the beginning of larger steps.

He expressed gratitude to the Tourism Minister for providing full support to Bukittinggi's tourism initiatives, including preparations for the "One Century of Jam Gadang" event.

"We've presented our grand vision to introduce Bukittinggi's historical richness to the international stage," Ramlan said.

Blending history, culture, and targeted promotion strategies, Bukittinggi and West Sumatra are now on a promising trajectory—not just as a domestic destination, but as a travel narrative worthy of global attention.