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Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesia’s Tourism Minister, noted that the green transition enables MSMEs to grow sustainably while delivering real benefits for communities — from creating decent jobs to protecting natural heritage, aiming to strengthen Indonesia’s position as a leader in responsible tourism.
To support the shift toward green and sustainable tourism, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and the International Labour Organization (ILO) convened the Policy Forum on Green Tourism MSMEs in Jakarta on 5 December 2025 (Friday).
Presiding over the forum, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Tourism Minister, Indonesia, said the move toward greener tourism is not a passing trend but a fundamental requirement for Indonesia's future, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). She noted that MSMEs remain central to the national economy, contributing to job creation, local livelihoods, and cultural preservation.
According to the minister, Indonesia’s tourism industry is in the midst of a "major transformation", as it moves away from attraction-based promotion, and towards a value-driven approach, with sustainability at its core.
The transition is aligned with the 2025–2029 National Mid-Term Development Plan (RPJM), which highlights the need for effective destination management, more inclusive supply chains, the adoption of Blue, Green and Circular Economy (BGCE) principles, green infrastructure development, strengthened workforce competencies, and environmentally responsible financing mechanisms.
She urged MSMEs to adopt eco-friendly business models that reduce carbon footprints, protect biodiversity, and preserve local traditions and wisdom, saying:
“Through the green transition, MSMEs not only grow sustainably but also deliver tangible benefits for communities, from creating decent jobs to protecting natural heritage, while strengthening Indonesia’s position as a leader in responsible tourism."
Simrin Singh, Country Director for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, ILO said the ILO and other UN agencies were proud to support the Indonesian Government in advancing green tourism through innovation and cross-sector collaboration, highlighting that the partnership extends beyond promoting eco-friendly practices, aiming also to strengthen the resilience, inclusiveness, and competitiveness of Indonesia’s tourism sector.
"Green tourism is a powerful driver of sustainable development and decent job creation across the tourism ecosystem. Its impact extends beyond the sector, contributing to biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage preservation and global climate mitigation efforts."
Since 2023, the Ministry and the ILO have partnered under the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) programme, a global UN initiative. The collaboration focuses on strengthening MSMEs’ capacity to adopt sustainable and environmentally responsible business practices.
Through this initiative, the partners have organised a Green Jobs Forum to discuss tourism development in biodiversity-rich areas and carried out intensive capacity-building through Training of Trainers programmes and direct training for MSMEs.
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Lead image / ILO
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