Gastronomy Becomes Tourism Magnet, 60 Percent of Tourists Visit Indonesia for Cuisine

A warm atmosphere enveloped The Meru Sanur, Bali, as the Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet (WIG) exhibition entitled Artisan Food Market officially opened. More than just a culinary bazaar, this event became a meeting space for MSME players, gastronomy enthusiasts, and tourists eager to taste the rich flavors of the Archipelago.

Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, who attended the event in person, appeared enthusiastic while sampling various local dishes. 

“We believe that understanding gastronomy also means appreciating culinary products skillfully crafted using our own local ingredients,” she stated on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

In the exhibition arena, visitors were treated to diverse artisanal culinary choices, ranging from handmade chocolate and cheese, signature tempeh, nut preparations, to uniquely flavored tea and coffee. 

Over 20 business players from Bali, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, to the Sula Islands in North Maluku participated in enlivening the event running until October 1, 2025.

Deputy for Event Organizer Development at the Ministry of Tourism, Vinsensius Jemadu, emphasized gastronomy tourism's importance as a magnet for foreign visits. 

“More than 60 percent of foreign tourists visit Indonesia seeking to experience cultural products including its extraordinary gastronomy,” he explained.

Beyond indulging palates, this exhibition also opened collaboration opportunities. Deputy for Industry and Investment Rizki Handayani Mustafa called Artisan Food Market a crucial platform for strengthening the F&B ecosystem from upstream to downstream. 

“We recognize the vital role of industry in preparing products for tourist consumption. Hence, this event must deliver tangible benefits,” Rizki emphasized.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Deputy for Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini, who viewed this event as a bridge for direct business-consumer interaction. 

“We present Artisan Food Market here so Bali's community can come, shop, and ultimately support economic growth,” she affirmed.

Extending beyond culinary displays, the WIG series featured a gastro tour. Media and international KOLs explored historical sites while discovering Indonesian heritage recipes. 

Through this collaboration emerged a holistic narrative of local wisdom, artisanal quality, and creativity—a force poised to establish Indonesia as a premier global gastronomy destination.(Antara)