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THE MINISTRY of Tourism is encouraging tourism industry stakeholders to optimize the development of event-based travel packages as a key driver for attracting tourists to Indonesia.
According to R. Wisnu Sindhutrisno, Assistant Deputy for Event Strategy at the Ministry of Tourism, stated during the “Business Matching for the Development of Event-Based Travel Packages”—held recently at Hotel Santika Hayam Wuruk, Jakarta said that in recent years, the hosting of events has proven to be a significant factor for tourists when choosing their travel destinations.
“Events serve not only as entertainment but also as a primary catalyst for tourist movement; they help extend the length of stay, increase tourist spending, and broaden the promotion of destinations,” said Wisnu.
Successful practices in other countries—where events are bundled into travel packages—demonstrate that events can function as a core attraction, integrated with a variety of tourism activities, such as attending the event itself, enjoying local culinary offerings, shopping, and exploring the destination. Consequently, the economic benefits of a tourist’s visit extend well beyond the immediate venue of the event.
These practices offer an important lesson: events can be intentionally designed as part of the overall “destination experience” and curated into compelling travel packages.
Wisnu explained that various types of events—including music concerts, cultural festivals, sporting events, special-interest activities, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)—should be positioned as travel attractions capable of extending stays, boosting tourist spending, and expanding economic benefits for local communities.
Each year, Indonesia hosts hundreds of events—ranging from local and national to international scales—that have the potential to generate measurable demand for travel.
“Given this diversity, creating event-based travel packages is a strategic move to transform this potential into accessible, high-value travel products that deliver a broad impact on the economy and on both local and national destinations,” Wisnu stated.
Wisnu hopes that this business matching event will serve as a meeting point and a platform for expanding networks, enabling players in the event and tourism industries to explore collaborative opportunities for developing event-based travel packages.
“The central government cannot act alone. Collaboration across ministries and agencies—leveraging the strength of associations, travel agencies, online travel agencies (OTAs), hotels, the transport sector, as well as innovations from event organizers and communities—is the key,” concluded Wisnu.
The business matching event brought together eight associations and event organizers—acting as product providers (sellers)—with 15 potential business partners (buyers), including representatives from tourism associations, the transport industry, and online travel platforms.
In addition to the business meetings, the event featured a panel discussion with speakers from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Transportation, and Klook Indonesia. [traveltext.id]
