Indonesia Leads Southeast Asia's Green Tourism Trend

Indonesia has reaffirmed its position as a key player in promoting sustainable tourism in the Southeast Asian region. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa at the ASEAN Tourism Ministers (ATM) Retreat held in Melaka, Malaysia, on Monday, September 29, 2025.

"This forum is a momentum to strengthen ASEAN cooperation in the tourism sector, especially in facing global challenges such as economic slowdown, climate change, and shifting tourist preferences," said Ni Luh in Jakarta on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

From Quantity to Quality

According to Ni Luh, the direction of Indonesia's tourism development is no longer solely focused on pursuing tourist numbers, but also emphasizes experience quality, environmental sustainability, and local community empowerment. This strategy aligns with the implementation of the Blue, Green, Circular Economy (BGCE) principles established as the main pillars of national tourism development.

These principles have been integrated into the RPJPN 2025–2045 and RPJMN 2025–2029, where sustainable tourism is a priority. This means every growth in this sector must align with nature conservation, cultural preservation, and climate risk mitigation.

Global Commitment and Concrete Action

Indonesia's seriousness is evident from various strategic steps. President Prabowo Subianto, in his speech at the UN General Assembly, reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to the Paris Agreement. In fact, Indonesia is among the first countries to support the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, targeting a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions before 2050.

At the sectoral level, the Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with UNDP to formulate the Indonesian Tourism Decarbonization Roadmap. At the community level, the tourism village program is a tangible form of local empowerment. To date, 40 tourism villages have been certified with eco-friendly standards, and this number is projected to continue increasing.

"Indonesia affirms its commitment to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism, focusing on climate adaptation and local community empowerment in line with the ASEAN agenda," she said.

ASEAN as a Unified World Destination

Furthermore, Indonesia is also pushing to enhance intra-ASEAN connectivity through infrastructure strengthening, service digitalization, and joint promotion. With this strategy, ASEAN is expected to be increasingly recognized as a unified world destination offering world-class tourism experiences.

Indonesia's approach emphasizes regulatory simplification, more integrated infrastructure development, and seamless mobility among member countries.

"Indonesia is ready to collaborate with ASEAN countries and dialogue partners so that the region's tourism becomes more competitive, inclusive, and delivers tangible benefits to the community. Indonesia believes collaboration is the key," she emphasized.

Leading the Green Tourism Trend

With multi-layered strategies from the global, national, sectoral, down to local levels, Indonesia is increasingly solidifying its position as the driving force for green tourism in the region. This step not only preserves tourism appeal but also elevates Indonesia's image as a country seriously committed to maintaining the balance between business, culture, and sustainability. (Antara)