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THE MINISTRY of Tourism invites local travel agents and tour operators (TA/TO) to create thematic tour packages based on peace of mind, gastronomy and culture originating from the Special Region of Yogyakarta and the Super Priority Destination (DSP) area of Borobudur, Magelang.
“The trend for domestic tourists, especially the upper middle-class segment from the Jabodetabek area, is now no longer just looking for destinations to take photos, but rather immersive experiences that provide peace of mind and strong historical narratives,” said Deputy for Marketing of Tourism Ministry, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta, Saturday (10/31), 2026.
Made said that this was an effort to create quality and sustainable tourism. In this case, the Ministry of Tourism has held a familiarization trip (famtrip) activity which was attended by 10 local TA/TOs to understand the shift in community tourism trends from mass tourism towards more meaningful and high-value experiences.
“These changes are in line with the needs of urban communities who face the pressures of daily activities and use holidays as a means of self-care, mental health recovery, and an opportunity to gain memorable experiences,” she said.
The Famtrip entitled “Harmony of Body, Taste and Tradition” which will be held from 16 to 20 October 2026 is also used as a space to bring together buyers and tourism service providers through business meetings (B2B).
This activity is expected to produce transactions that are beneficial to the local economy while supporting the achievement of the target of 1.18 billion domestic tourist trips by 2026.
Participants enjoy a variety of tourism experiences that combine culinary, history, culture and wellness. The activity began with a gastronomic exploration with Dje Djak Rasa through the Ingkung Special Coconut Milk Village Search in Bantul, which combines ingkung chicken dishes with traditional recipe stories.
Exploration of the culinary riches of the archipelago continues through the “Senja Gastronomy Walking Tour: Explore Tugu & Chinatown” to get to know cultural acculturation while tasting local snacks.
Participants also took part in the “Three Faces of Mataram” trip with Remen Jawi which presented a historical exploration and banquet across time. The agenda continues with enjoying personalized tea blends at Sadahurip, exploring the Purbayan Tourism Village, and enjoying ethnic gastronomic dishes at Dapur Alit Jogja.
The series of activities closed with a mindful meditation session that combined relaxation experiences and cultural storytelling with Selaras Jiwo Journey.
This activity also raises the potential of walking tours as an alternative to enjoying destinations more closely. This activity is increasingly in demand because it allows tourists to explore the environment, culture and community life through a more relaxed and in-depth trip (slow tourism).
“By walking, tourists not only traverse city spaces, but can interact directly with local residents, breathe in the atmosphere of the village, and absorb authentic historical and culinary stories in every corner they visit. This kind of sensory experience is what today’s high-quality tourists are looking for,” she concluded. [antaranews/photo special]
