Activities

Author: Communication Unit

The Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, in collaboration with the Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC OIC), hosted the International Workshop on Empowering Sustainable Tourism: Integrating Blue, Green, and Circular Economy (BGCE) into Tourism Operations, with DESMA Center as Knowledge Partner. The workshop was carried out in Jakarta, 26–29 August 2025. 

This four-day workshop brought together 70 participants from OIC member states (Türkiye and Malaysia), national and regional government agencies, associations, academics, and industry players. With funding support from COMCEC, the event served as a platform for strengthening capacity, exchanging knowledge, and sharing best practices on how BGCE principles can be applied in tourism operations.

Opening the workshop, Ms. Rizki Handayani, Deputy Minister for Industry and Investment, The Ministry of Indonesia emphasized the dual role of tourism as a key contributor to Indonesia’s economy yet highly vulnerable to environmental challenges and climate change. She confirmed the government’s commitment to adopting BGCE as a central instrument for sustainable tourism, in line with the RPJMN 2025–2029 and RPJPN 2025–2045, where quality and sustainable tourism are set as national priorities.

Highlights included two fireside sessions. The first, Framework of Sustainability in Tourism Sector among OIC Member States, discussed policies, challenges, and strategies for BGCE adoption; featured H.E. Prof. Dr. Talip Küçükcan, Ambassador of Türkiye, who shared Türkiye’s transformation journey toward sustainable tourism through national policies and programs; alongside representatives from Malaysia Ms. Siti Hadjar Mohd Yunus, representing the Ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia and Mr. Abdurrahman Raffi, Directorate of Tourism, Creative Economy, and Digital Economy, Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas). 

The second session, Best Practices in the Hospitality Industry, showcased innovative approaches from industry leaders: water sustainability from Mr. Nicolas Perez, CEO of PT PIPA; circular economy in food and waste management from Mr. Rendy Aditya, Founder of Parongpong Recycle & Waste Lab; Sustainable Investment and Green Building in Tourism from Ms. Prisca Winata, JLL Indonesia; and Implementing BGCE in Hotel Operations from Ms. Santi Permanasari, Pullman Jakarta Central Park. 

In addition, four intensive thematic modules on sustainable tourism operations were delivered by Adj. Prof. Anthony Wong, Group Managing Director Universiti Utara Malaysia & Owner and Managing Director of The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, Ms. Arzu Kahraman Yılmaz, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Türkiye; Dr. Baskoro Lokahita, Universitas Indonesia; and Ms. Lucia Karina, Vice Chair for Sustainable Tourism, and Ms. Natasha Gabriella, Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).

Participants also joined site visits to observe the sustainability in actions from Hotel Pullman Jakarta Central Park demonstrated hotel-based BGCE practices, while Taman Safari Indonesia showcased ecotourism and integrated waste management systems.

Closing the workshop, the Ministry of Tourism highlighted the need for strong collaboration among government, industry, academia, associations, and communities to advance BGCE implementation.

Key recommendations included developing national policies and regulations as a legal framework for BGCE in tourism; Integrating sustainability into industry standards and local government guidelines; and expanding green incentives, human resource development, and international cooperation within OIC member states.

The workshop also fostered stronger cooperation among OIC countries through collaboration and the exchange of best practices at both policy and industry levels—marking a significant step toward building a more green, inclusive, and sustainable future for tourism.

The full workshop report with detailed sessions and outcomes will be available soon on DESMA Center's social media.