Tourism Safety Becomes 2026 Flagship Program, 200 Extreme Tour Guides Get Training

Amid Indonesia's rapidly advancing tourism industry, 2026 will mark a significant milestone. Not only because post-pandemic tourism recovery efforts have achieved stability, but also because the government has placed tourist safety at the core of its national flagship programs. 

This step reinforces that travel is not just about destinations, but about human and system readiness to create safe, meaningful, and sustainable adventures.

During a Working Meeting with Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that Indonesia's tourism transformation will be strengthened through the continuation of flagship programs alongside new innovations.

"For 2026, we will continue the flagship programs already running in 2025 while introducing various innovations and expanding new programs," stated Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana.

Extreme Tourism Safety Becomes Primary Focus

One highlight of the 2026 flagship program is strengthening preparedness for extreme tourism, a sector growing alongside increasing tourist interest in adrenaline-pumping activities.

The Ministry of Tourism will provide upskilling and reskilling to enhance the capacity of tourism players, especially field guides. 

A total of 200 guides, including mountain, water tourism, and diving guides, will undergo competency-based training and certification.

Widiyanti stated that through this program, the Ministry of Tourism will conduct upskilling and reskilling to improve preparedness in implementing extreme tourism.

"Including for locations geared towards extreme tourism," said Widiyanti.

This approach places safety as the foundation of the tourist experience. For tourists, the presence of certified guides not only enhances security but builds trust that Indonesia is serious about managing its adventure sector.

Tourism Villages: The Heart of Empowerment and Sustainability

Beyond extreme tourism, the Tourism Village program will also continue in 2026. The Ministry of Tourism targets strengthening the network of over 6,100 tourism villages—small spaces holding immense potential.

This program focuses on mentoring villages with potential, enhancing competitive quality, and ensuring sustainable management. 

Tourism villages are not just stopovers but also stories of culture, nature, and local communities interconnected in harmony.

Elevating Special Interests for Quality Tourism

Within the Quality Tourism scheme, the government prioritizes high-spending tourists with more specific interests. Gastronomy, arts, wellness, marine tourism, to traditional textiles (wastra) will become Indonesia's new attractive faces.

"We will continue curating attractions including efforts by MSMEs and aircraft operators, as well as Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet and Wonderful Indonesia Wellness, alongside business mentoring and coaching," she said.

This curation approach ensures the experiences offered are not only appealing but authentic and globally competitive.

Event by Indonesia and Tourism 5.0: The Future of Tech-Based Tourism

Meanwhile, the Event by Indonesia program will be developed through the curation of Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), utilizing technology platforms to promote diverse events across Indonesia. The government is preparing an integrated platform to facilitate event information access and licensing.

"We will shift (the program) to events through developing an integrated platform for event licensing. Besides these flagship programs, each deputy directorate will also run their respective work programs as usual," she explained.

The Tourism 5.0 program affirms technology's role as a main pillar of modern tourism—efficient, high-quality, accessible, and relevant to the global market.

By incorporating tourism safety aspects into the 2026 flagship programs, Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to building a tourism industry that not only captivates but also protects every human and environment within it. (Antara)