Indonesia Hosts KEJUTAN Workshop to Promote New Sustainable Cultural Events in Yogyakarta and Central Java

Image generated with Ai

In a major bid to increase the sustainability of tourism in Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism (Kemenpar) successfully organized the KEJUTAN (Getting to Know Sustainable Events) workshop on October 1-2, 2025, in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) and Central Java. The KEJUTAN workshop, a forum for exchange and learning, was aimed at getting local communities, government representatives, and event organizers to discuss how to develop sustainable cultural tourism events.

Building a Shared Understanding of Culture and Community in Tourism

The KEJUTAN workshop aimed to highlight the critical role that culture and community play in developing sustainable tourism events. Fransiskus Handoko, Assistant Deputy for Event Strategy at the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized that culture is not just a background but a central element that can drive the development of sustainable tourism events. By focusing on the theme “Tradition to Action,” the workshop encouraged participants to transform local traditions into actionable ideas for event planning.

The Significance of “Tradition to Action” in Sustainable Tourism

The theme of the workshop, “Tradition to Action,” emphasizes the importance of cultural traditions as the foundation for innovative and sustainable tourism events. Local culture is viewed as not just a heritage to preserve, but as a dynamic element that can inspire events that reflect the community’s unique identity while also being mindful of sustainability and the local economy.

Key Outcomes: Training Modules and Collaborative Networks

Throughout the workshop, participants worked on developing practical outcomes, including the creation of training modules, the drafting of culture-based event concepts, and the formation of collaborative networks. These networks aimed to unite local communities, government, and event organizers, creating a strong foundation for the long-term success of sustainable tourism events in the region.

Empowering Local Communities and Event Organizers

The KEJUTAN workshop was designed to empower local communities and professional event organizers by providing both conceptual understanding and practical skills. Betsy Dian Astri, Head of Event Strategy Development at the Ministry of Tourism, expressed hope that the workshop would help foster a sustainable tourism ecosystem that supports the development of Yogyakarta and Central Java as premier cultural tourism destinations in Indonesia.

Collaborative Synergy Between Government and Communities

One of the key messages of the workshop was the importance of synergy between local governments, communities, and event organizers. Imam Pratanadi, Head of the Yogyakarta Tourism Office, acknowledged the workshop’s potential to maximize the value of local culture and the tourism potential of villages and tourist hamlets in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This collaborative effort is seen as a vital element in enhancing the competitiveness and value of cultural tourism events in the region.

Best Practices from Successful Cultural Events in Indonesia

During the workshop, participants were introduced to several best practices from successful cultural events in Indonesia, including the Ngayogjazz and Dieng Culture Festival. These examples showed how local culture could be effectively leveraged to create engaging and sustainable tourism events. Speakers from organizations like PT Taman Wisata Candi (InJourney) and PT Rajawali Indonesia also shared insights on managing cultural heritage events, such as Prambanan Jazz, demonstrating how tourism and cultural heritage can be integrated to create memorable visitor experiences.

The Role of Associations in Strengthening Sustainable Event Ecosystems

The role of associations in building cross-sector networks was another significant point discussed during the workshop. The Jogja Festivals organization, which supports cultural event management, emphasized how collaboration among event organizers, government bodies, and communities can help create a strong and sustainable event ecosystem. The networking opportunities provided by the workshop were a key step in building these collaborative frameworks.

Expanding Reach: Making the Workshop Accessible to a Wider Audience

To ensure that the valuable insights from the workshop reached a broader audience, the Ministry of Tourism broadcast the event online via the Zoom Meeting platform. This allowed remote participants from across Indonesia and beyond to learn from the discussions, share ideas, and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism events. This approach helped expand the reach of the workshop, making it accessible to a wider audience interested in developing similar initiatives in their own regions.

The Importance of Cultural Heritage in Tourism Development

Cultural heritage was a key topic discussed during the KEJUTAN workshop, particularly in terms of its role in tourism development. Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra, an Anthropology Professor at UGM, underscored the importance of culture as an attraction for tourism. He emphasized that cultural tourism can be a significant driver of economic growth, especially when it is managed in a sustainable and inclusive way that benefits local communities.

Building a Sustainable Cultural Tourism Ecosystem in Indonesia

KEJUTAN workshop in Yogyakarta and Central Java represented an important milestone towards developing a sustainable cultural tourism infrastructure in Indonesia. Through the gathering of local communities, government representatives, and event organizers, the event wanted to provide a common platform where culture-driven tourism events are able to flourish. Success of the workshop is its capacity to empower local stakeholders, advance professional event organizers, and equip them with resources to develop sustainable tourism that sustains both communities and the tourism sector.

Indonesia is further building up its tourism industry, with the KEJUTAN workshop a significant precedent for potential future projects, inviting other destinations to place culture, sustainability, and community at the forefront of their tourism development. The Ministry of Tourism is committed to facilitating the development of sustainable tourism nationwide, establishing Indonesia as a premier cultural tourism destination globally.