Monday, 07 September 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Government has opened opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector with India. The initiative was highlighted at the "Sumatera-India Tourism Promotion" event, attended by Deli Serdang Deputy Regent Lom Lom Suwondo SS on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the Grand Mercure Medan Hotel.
The promotional forum provided the regional government and tourism industry stakeholders with an important opportunity to expand international cooperation networks. North Sumatra, including Deli Serdang Regency, has diverse tourism potential that can be further developed to attract more international visitors, particularly from India.Deli Serdang's participation in the event also created opportunities to promote tourist destinations and attract investment in the tourism sector. The regional government views the Indian market as an international growth market with strong prospects. This is particularly relevant amid growing traveler interest in holiday experiences that combine nature, culture, culinary attractions and local traditions.
Deli Serdang Deputy Regent Lom Lom Suwondo said the regional government's participation in the Sumatera-India tourism promotion forum was a strategic step toward introducing the region's potential to the international market.
According to Lom Lom, Deli Serdang has numerous tourist attractions that could become part of efforts to develop the Indian tourism market. These include natural and cultural tourism destinations, as well as culinary offerings that can be packaged into a range of travel experiences."Deli Serdang has diverse tourism potential, from nature and cultural tourism to culinary attractions. Through a forum like this, we hope to open broader opportunities for cooperation, both in promotion and investment in the tourism sector," Lom Lom said.
He emphasized that international forums such as the Sumatera-India Tourism Promotion are not solely intended to showcase destinations, but can also bring governments together with businesses and potential partners from other countries. Such meetings are expected to encourage partnerships that can have a positive impact on tourism development in the regions involved.The Deli Serdang Government can also use the forum to showcase the distinctive features of its destinations, which differ from tourist destinations that are already more widely known among international travelers. With its natural and cultural resources, Deli Serdang has opportunities to develop a wider range of tourism products tailored more closely to market demand.
Ravi Shanker Goel emphasized the importance of stronger tourism promotion, particularly for destinations offering cultural and historical experiences. He also highlighted cooperation among tourism industry stakeholders and improved connectivity as important factors in encouraging greater travel between the two regions.
"Tourism is not only about travel, but also a journey of friendship and mutual understanding. Now is the right time to build a stronger tourism partnership between Sumatera and India," he said.The view underscores that tourism cooperation can develop beyond destination promotion alone. Tourism ties can strengthen people-to-people exchanges, create new business opportunities and deepen understanding of the cultural richness of both countries.
During the forum, participants also discussed various ways to increase the number of Indian visitors to Sumatera. Better destination information, more targeted promotional campaigns, the development of travel packages and improved connectivity are important components in building a sustainable tourism market.
Deputy Secretary-General of India's Ministry of Tourism Shri Harikishore S, who participated virtually in the event, said relations between India and Indonesia have a strong foundation built through maritime trade, the exchange of civilizations and a shared cultural heritage.
He said the number of Indian tourists visiting Indonesia reached around 497,000 in 2025. During the same period, around 43,000 Indonesian tourists traveled to India. These figures indicate that there remains considerable room for stronger cooperation and increased tourist exchanges between the two countries."Tourism is one of the important pillars of the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and Indonesia. There is still enormous potential for further cooperation," he said.
Dedy Ahmad Kurnia, Deputy Head of the International Tourism Marketing Division at the Ministry of Tourism, also described India as one of Indonesia's potentially important international markets. According to him, Indian travelers are increasingly seeking authentic experiences encompassing culture, nature, wellness, culinary tourism and family travel."When people talk about Indonesia, many immediately think of Bali. But Indonesia is much larger. Sumatera offers very different experiences through its cultural and natural wealth, as well as traditions that remain highly authentic," he said.
Dedy said several destinations in Sumatera could help further expand the Indian tourism market. Among those he mentioned were Lake Toba, the Batak cultural region, West Sumatra cuisine and Gunung Leuser National Park, all of which form part of Sumatera's tourism wealth and could be introduced more extensively to international travelers.In his view, these diverse destinations can offer alternative travel experiences for Indian tourists seeking to explore Indonesia beyond Bali. A marketing strategy that highlights the distinctive features of culture, nature, culinary attractions and local traditions could help increase interest in destinations across Sumatera.
The Sumatera-India Tourism Promotion event also brought together tourism industry stakeholders from North Sumatra and India. The meeting gave industry representatives an opportunity to exchange information about destination potential, cooperation opportunities, and strategies for developing tourism products and markets.The participation of various stakeholders in the forum demonstrated a shared interest in strengthening tourism links between Indonesia and India. Regional and central governments, diplomatic representatives and tourism industry players can each play a role in building more integrated promotional efforts and expanding international market and business networks.
Also participating virtually were Indonesian Consul General in Mumbai Eddy Wardoyo and the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim (KUAI) of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in New Delhi, Yudho Sasongko.Also in attendance were the 14th Sultan of Deli, Sultan Mahmud Aria Lamantjiji Perkasa Alam Shah, representatives of regional governments, tourism industry stakeholders, tourism associations and other guests from Indonesia and India.
The forum marked another step toward connecting Sumatera's tourism potential with the Indian travel market. For Deli Serdang, the occasion also opened an opportunity to further promote the region's tourism wealth and explore cooperation in promotion and investment that could strengthen the tourism sector in the future. (IDNC)REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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