Jakarta and Seoul Boost Tourism Partnership Amid APEC Talks
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- Indonesia is strengthening tourism cooperation with South Korea through strategic discussions held during the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting 2026.
- The partnership focuses on joint promotions, gastronomy tourism development, and increasing tourist flows between the two countries.
- Both nations aim to enhance regional tourism through innovation, MSME empowerment, and improved travel facilitation policies.
Jakarta — Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism is exploring opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation with South Korea to further develop the tourism sector.
Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana held a bilateral meeting with South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Chae Hwi Young, on the sidelines of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting (TMM13) in Macau SAR, China, on June 27, 2026.
According to an official statement released by the ministry on Monday, the discussions covered several strategic areas, including enhanced joint promotions with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), collaboration with travel agencies, and the development of special interest tourism, particularly in gastronomy.
“With a shared vision under the APEC framework and UN Tourism, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea have significant potential to elevate tourism cooperation to a more advanced level and deliver tangible benefits for both countries,” Widiyanti said.
She expressed hope that the meeting would pave the way for stronger collaboration not only in tourism development but also in other strategic sectors.
Widiyanti also highlighted South Korea as one of Indonesia’s key sources of international visitors.
She welcomed the South Korean government’s policy to temporarily waive visa requirements for Indonesian group tourists visiting the country, which has been in effect since May 28, 2026.
During the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Indonesia reaffirmed its commitment to advancing tourism across the Asia-Pacific region through digital innovation, community empowerment, support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and cross-border collaboration.
In addition, Indonesia voiced its support for the implementation of the APEC Tourism Strategic Plan 2025–2029, the Putrajaya Vision 2040, and APEC studies aimed at improving the effectiveness of travel facilitation measures across the region.
Indonesianpost.com | Antara
