The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Board of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) is set to launch the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) 2024 program, aiming to be a flagship initiative to boost tourism interest among both domestic and international travelers, encouraging visits to various regions across Indonesia. The official launch is scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024, at Sasono Langen Budoyo, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, as announced by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Board of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno. Under the KEN 2024 program, there will be a total of 110 events, including 100 premier events and the top 10 events. The initiative seeks to curate a diverse range of cultural, carnival, artistic, musical, and culinary activities across the archipelago. The Minister highlighted that these events provide an opportunity for individuals to explore and rejuvenate while keeping their budgets intact. Ni Komang Ayu Astiti, Acting Deputy for Tourism Products and Event Organizers at Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf, explained that the 110 events encompassed in KEN 2024 are distributed throughout the provinces of Indonesia.
Emphasizing the significance of the KEN 2024 program, stakeholders encourage local governments to leverage social media platforms for digital promotions, expanding the reach and attractiveness of these events to a broader audience. The goal is to ensure that these events serve as genuine tourist attractions, effectively drawing visitors to the diverse cultural and creative experiences offered. Eni Komiarti, Chair of the Promotion Event Strategy Working Group at Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf, disclosed that KEN 2023 had a positive impact on tourism and the creative economy. In 2023, the program engaged 7.4 million tourists, involved 11,000 MSMEs, 140,000 artists, and provided employment for 36,000 individuals. The overall contribution to GDP reached IDR 199.3 billion, with a total economic turnover of IDR 12.42 trillion. For the official launch at TMII, Kemenparekraf plans not only a formal introduction but also the KEN Festival, combining five KEN activities formats, encompassing culture, carnival, arts, music, and culinary experiences. The KEN Festival, open to the public, will take place from 10:00 to 18:00 WIB at Sasono Utomo, TMII. The KEN 2024 program aims to be a targeted and timely initiative, particularly supporting the recovery of the national tourism and creative economy sectors.
