Indonesian Tourism Ministry Highlights Women's Strategic Role in Sector Development

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Luh Puspa, has emphasized the strategic role of women in advancing Indonesia's tourism ecosystem. Women's contributions are considered one of the important foundations for improving the global competitiveness of the tourism sector. "There is still a perception that women are only a complement. In fact, without women, the tourism ecosystem will not move," said Ni Luh in an official statement confirmed in Jakarta, Tuesday (28/7/2026). Speaking at the Women's Leadership Forum 2026 in Jakarta on Monday (27/7/2026), Ni Luh stated that women currently dominate the workforce in the tourism sector. They play roles as drivers of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), guardians of culture, and community leaders who also strengthen the competitiveness of tourist destinations. The role of women is also visible in various fields, ranging from village tourism managers, homestay owners, culinary and creative MSMEs, weavers, artisans, tour guides, to the preservation of art and traditions that form the identity of various destinations in Indonesia. According to Ni Luh, this contribution has become an important part of building inclusive, sustainable, and competitive Indonesian tourism. She noted that the tourism sector is one of the most inclusive economic sectors because more than half of its workforce are women. However, women's contributions still face several challenges that need to be a common concern. One of the problems that still needs to be addressed is that women have not yet had equal opportunities to occupy leadership positions and earn equal income in various subsectors of tourism. For example, in the hospitality industry, women still occupy many positions, such as in marketing. Meanwhile, the opportunity to occupy main leadership positions is not considered to be evenly open. Therefore, she assessed that affirmative steps are needed to open wider access for women to be able to occupy strategic positions in the tourism sector. "Support for women must be realized through policies and concrete actions that provide equal opportunities in leadership," Ni Luh also conveyed that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy shows a real commitment in promoting gender equality. Currently, both the Minister and Deputy Minister of Tourism are women. She explained that leadership in the tourism sector requires not only decision-making ability but also the ability to build collaboration, orchestrate various stakeholders, and become a catalyst for the advancement of national tourism. "We are there to uphold collaboration. The tourism leader is a leader who becomes a collaborator, orchestrator, and also a catalyst," she said. She also invited all women to continue to support each other, strengthen leadership networks, and open more space for women to contribute to the development of Indonesian tourism. "Giving women access and giving women confidence is not just about making a woman a leader. More than that, we are creating the future, opening opportunities, and giving birth to better generations,"