Indonesia’s Chairmanship at the 2023 ASEAN presents an opportunity for the country to strengthen and promote its tourism potential, according to Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. The minister believes that Indonesia’s tourism sector is currently considered superior when compared to other ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. He stated that Indonesia’s tourism potential is very large and, with the very promising potential of the tourism sector, it must become the main focus to revive the Indonesian economy, which was previously hit by the pandemic. Specifically in the Greater Malang area, the minister highlighted a number of tourist villages that have been receiving national and international awards with promising potential, such as the Pujon Kidul Tourism Village and Sanankerto Village. The government will provide assistance to existing tourism and strengthen promotional efforts to optimize its potential. The minister visited the Kayutangan Heritage Village in Malang City, one of the 75 Indonesian Tourism Villages in 2023.
