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THE MINISTRY of Tourism commends The Jember Fashion Carnival (JFC), 2026, as a flagship national event that not only strengthens Indonesia’s tourism image globally but also has a tangible impact on regional economic growth through the development of creative industries, empowerment of MSMEs, and job creation.
In her remarks at the culmination of the 2026 JFC at the Jember Regency Square on Sunday (July 26th), Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated that JFC is an international-standard fashion carnival that has been consistently held since 2003. For more than two decades, JFC has developed into the tourism identity of Jember Regency and a showcase for Indonesian creativity to the world.
The combination of fashion, performing arts, culture, and creativity makes JFC a stage that showcases the nation’s capabilities in presenting works that can attract tourists from various countries.
“We’re not just witnessing a carnival. We’re witnessing a grand idea: creativity is a force capable of building identity, driving the economy, and introducing Indonesia to the world,” said Widiyanti.
The Ministry of Tourism assesses JFC’s consistency in maintaining the quality of its implementation, making it one of the best events in Indonesia. This is reflected in its success in being included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) for six consecutive years since 2021. In 2026, JFC also returned to the Top 10 Karisma Event Nusantara for the fourth time.
According to her, these achievements demonstrate that JFC has increasingly high standards of organization, continuously developing creativity, and is a tourist attraction capable of competing internationally.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, I express my appreciation to the Jember Regency Government, the Jember Fashion Carnaval Foundation, and all parties who have maintained the spirit and quality of JFC for more than two decades,” she affirmed.
The 2026 Jember Fashion Carnival will be held on July 24–26, 2026, with the theme “HEAL: Humanity, Earth, and Life.” This theme encourages the public to build a more harmonious relationship between humans, the earth, and life through creative works that promote environmental conservation.
This message is realized through four main agendas and eight theatrical parades that highlight humanitarian values, cultural diversity, and environmental awareness. This creative approach strengthens the role of tourism as an educational medium while supporting the development of quality and sustainable tourism.
In addition to presenting world-class performances, JFC also makes a significant contribution to the regional economy. In 2025, JFC attracted 557,509 domestic tourists and 284 international tourists, involving 106 MSMEs, 2,643 artists, and 558 workers, with an economic turnover of IDR 60.21 billion.
“This achievement demonstrates that organizing quality events can provide broad benefits, from strengthening destination promotion, opening up business opportunities for the community, boosting local economic activity, and creating jobs in the tourism and creative economy sectors,” she said.
With over two decades of experience organizing the event and its consistent presence as part of Karisma Event Nusantara, Widiyanti hopes that JFC will continue to develop as a world-class fashion carnival that further strengthens Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness while providing greater benefits to the community.
“The Ministry of Tourism will continue to support the Jember Fashion Carnival to ensure its quality, sustainability, and broader impact on the community,” she concluded. [traveltext.id]
