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IN THE holding of the Joint Commission Meeting for the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and the 37th UN Tourism Commission (CSA), Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said that green investment and circular economy significantly promote sustainable tourism.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, in her remarks at the UN Regional Tourism Conference at the Mulia Hotel in Jakarta recently, said that the tourism sector has become the main driver of economic growth in East Asia, Pacific and South Asia.
“This is because tourism is a sector that has created jobs, encouraged infrastructure development, promoted cultural exchanges and contributed to global cooperation,” said Minister Widiyanti Putri.
The UN Tourism Conference, which will discuss green investment and tourism policies for a circular economy, is part of the second day’s agenda of the Joint Commission Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and the 37th session of the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (CSA) in Jakarta.
The Asia-Pacific region has established itself as a global leader in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
Based on data from UNCTAD, the World Investment Report 2024 and UNCTAD, Trends Monitor 48, all sectors in Asia-Pacific have contributed 40 to 50 per cent of total global FDI flows.
For the tourism sector, data from FDI Intelligence, Financial Times, UN Tourism in February 2025 stated that the Asia-Pacific region has secured 642 greenfield FDI projects worth US$66.4 billion from 2018 to 2024.
The investment potential highlights the need for clear strategic direction to ensure that capital flows are in line with long-term sustainability.
Through the UN Regional Tourism Conference, Tourism Minister Widiyanti hopes to provide an opportunity for delegates to exchange ideas on how the Asia-Pacific region can accelerate green investments that have an impact, from renewable energy in the hospitality industry to environmental awareness practices. According to him, there are so many opportunities for investments that support a more inclusive and sustainable planet and economy.
“Green investment has great potential to protect our ecosystems and cultural heritage, increase sustainable economic growth and provide long-term community benefits,” said the Minister of Tourism.
In this session, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti launched an investment guide prepared by UN Tourism entitled “Tourism Doing Business: Investing in Indonesia”. This guideline will be a roadmap to help investors navigate and unlock the great potential of Indonesia’s rapidly growing tourism sector.
“This is an important milestone in our efforts to promote sustainable tourism and strengthen Indonesia as a top destination for tourism investment and business. For this reason, I would like to thank UN Tourism for compiling this guide and express my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who have worked tirelessly,” she affirmed.
The circular economy is a top priority for UN Tourism, helping destinations reduce waste, optimize resources and promote sustainable development.
Minister of Tourism Widiyanti explained the circular economy as an innovative framework that aims to redefine the way we manage resource production, consumption and waste management.
“This framework encourages a shift from traditional linear models to regenerative systems that reduce waste, promote recycling, and prioritize sustainability throughout the tourism value chain. This approach has great potential, especially for the diverse and dynamic countries of East Asia, the Pacific and South Asia,” she concluded. [traveltext.id]
