PRESS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY/TOURISM AND CREATIVE ECONOMY AGENCY

Minister Sandiaga: Halal Tourism Potential Drives Creative Economic Development in Semarang

As an effort to revive the economy and create employment opportunities

Semarang, March 16th 2023 - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, considers that Semarang, Central Java, has the potential for halal tourism development.

During the inauguration of the PPHI Association and Halal Tourism Talkshow at the Old Town area, Semarang, Central Java, Thursday (16/3/2023), he explained the government's opportunities and its focus on increasing the creative economy sector and did not mean making destinations become sharia. Moreover, this concept is believed to improve the creative economy in the country.

“There are so many tourism spots to develop in the concept of religious tourism, pilgrimage tourism, cultural tourism, natural tourism, and man-made tourism that can continue to the creative economy sector as halal products, such as cosmetics and tour packages both before and after umrah,” according to Minister Sandiaga.

The MOTCE develops the concept of halal tourism with three basic additional services. First, need to have. It is a must. The need to have is a halal food service and facilities for prayer.

“The need to have has the meaning of serving halal food. Which restaurants serve halal food, so tourists feel safe to consume halal food,” he added.

The second is good to have. For example, it will be better if, in the tourist sites, there are moslem-friendly toilets.

The last is nice to have. So, it would be better if there were Muslim family-friendly recreational facilities. Minister Sandiaga also jointly encourages the development of a halal industry map through tourism recovery adaptation, innovation, diversification, and digitalization strategies.

“Promotion using digitalization pattern with attractive, educative, and informative social media algorithms by involving diasporas and communities there,” he continued.

The development of the halal tourism concept, Sandiaga said, will increase the income of the creative economy sector in Indonesia as it is supported by better halal-based services and facilities.

“It will be a positive thing for the efforts to improve the creative economy sector,” Sandiaga said.

I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani

Head of Communication Bureau

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency