VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Australia – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahudin Uno paid a working visit on Tuesday (20/02) to Melbourne to promote Indonesian tourism and explore potential collaboration with stakeholders in Victoria.

Quoting a press statement from the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy's working visit began with a tour of the "Wonderful Indonesia" pavilion in the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) series which took place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia. The 'Wonderful Indonesia' pavilion presents a number of Indonesian Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events (MICE) industry players. On this occasion, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy met with the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and discussed potential cooperation in the MICE sector.

During his visit to Victoria, Sandiaga also met with Minister Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister Tim Pallas MP, and Hamish Anderson from SportNXT to discuss Indonesia's collaboration with Victoria in tourism and cultural exchange, especially through sports and entertainment events. In addition, Sandiaga Uno also met with the Indonesian Culinary Association in Victoria (ICAV) to talk about Indonesian culinary diplomacy through the Indonesia Spice Up the World (ISUTW) program.

Sandiaga Uno accompanied by the Indonesian Consul General, Kuncoro Waseso, as quoted in the press release of the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, visited a number of Indonesian restaurants such as Garam Merica, Cinta, Beku Gelato, Kantin, D'bakmi, and Martabak Pecenongan 78. Besides enjoying Indonesian culinary delights at land of kangaroos, Sandiaga Uno discusses with restaurant owners regarding the development of the Indonesian culinary business in Australia. “Minister Sandi really supports our business development. "When I conveyed my plans for expansion in Australia and the possibility of opening a store in Indonesia, he was even supportive so that I could prioritize opening a store in Indonesia," said Agusta Triwahyu, Beku Gelato owner.

Ending his visit, Sandiaga Uno greeted the Indonesian diaspora at the Indonesian Consulate General in Melbourne, and deliberated the role of the Indonesian Diaspora in boosting foreign tourist visits, especially from Australia, which has increased since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. "These diaspora friends have a huge influence in promoting Indonesia to foreign communities. "Therefore, today I want to inaugurate all my friends who were present as Indonesian cultural ambassadors in Victoria," said Sandi.