Cultural and Sustainable Tourism in Indonesia: A High-End Experience for French Visitors – Travel And Tour World

Report on Indonesia’s Sustainable Luxury Tourism Initiative for the French Market

Publication Date: November 26, 2025

1.0 Executive Summary

This report analyzes the strategic initiative by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) to engage the French luxury travel market, as exemplified by the “Around the World: Visages et Civilisations du Monde 2025” premium tour. The program, which hosted 128 affluent French travelers from November 14-16, 2025, highlights Indonesia’s commitment to integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its tourism strategy. The initiative focuses on leveraging cultural and natural assets to promote a tourism model that supports decent economic growth (SDG 8), preserves cultural heritage (SDG 11), ensures responsible consumption (SDG 12), protects vital ecosystems (SDGs 14 and 15), and is built on international partnerships (SDG 17).

2.0 Strategic Initiative Analysis

2.1 Program Overview: “Around the World 2025”

The custom tour for the French market was designed to showcase Indonesia’s capacity for high-end, sustainable tourism. Key components of the initiative included:

• Target Audience: 128 high-value travelers from the French luxury market.
• Core Offering: Personalized, immersive experiences blending Indonesia’s cultural diversity with its commitment to sustainability.
• Featured Locations: Culturally rich destinations such as Bali and Java.
• Primary Goal: To strengthen Indonesia’s position as a leading global destination for responsible and premium travel experiences.

2.2 Alignment with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The successful execution of the tour demonstrates a robust partnership between the Indonesian government and international luxury tour operators. This collaboration is pivotal for:

1. Developing long-haul market relationships, particularly with European nations that show strong demand for sustainable travel.
2. Leveraging international networks to promote Indonesia’s unique value proposition in sustainable tourism.
3. Creating a framework for future collaborations aimed at achieving shared sustainable development objectives.

3.0 Integration of Sustainable Development Goals in Tourism Strategy

3.1 SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The focus on the luxury travel segment is a strategic approach to advancing sustainable economic growth. This model contributes to SDG 8 by:

• Attracting higher-spending tourists, thereby increasing revenue and its distribution to local economies.
• Creating skilled employment opportunities within the tourism and creative economy sectors.
• Promoting Indonesia as a high-value destination, which supports long-term economic resilience in the tourism industry.

3.2 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities & SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The initiative places significant emphasis on cultural preservation and responsible tourism practices. This aligns with making communities more sustainable and promoting responsible consumption patterns through:

1. Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: The tour offered immersive experiences with local craftspeople, traditional music, Balinese dance performances, and visits to historic temples, directly supporting the preservation of cultural assets as outlined in SDG 11.
2. Promoting Community Engagement: Travelers interacted with local communities involved in sustainable practices, such as eco-friendly farming, ensuring that tourism benefits are shared and local traditions are respected.
3. Fostering Responsible Consumption: By offering authentic, experience-focused travel over traditional sightseeing, Indonesia caters to a growing global demand for meaningful and low-impact tourism, a core principle of SDG 12.

3.3 SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land

Indonesia’s tourism strategy is intrinsically linked to the protection of its natural capital. The promotion of its eco-tourism credentials supports global conservation goals by:

• Highlighting the nation’s commitment to protecting its rich biodiversity, including rainforests, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems.
• Showcasing sustainable management of natural resources and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
• Attracting environmentally conscious travelers who value and financially support destinations committed to conservation, thereby creating a market-driven incentive for environmental protection.

4.0 Market Development and Future Outlook

4.1 Strategic Positioning in High-Value Markets

The initiative is part of a long-term strategy to enhance Indonesia’s brand in the global luxury travel sector. By targeting the French market, known for its sophisticated and sustainability-conscious travelers, Indonesia is positioning itself as a leader in a niche but growing segment. This targeted promotion aims to elevate the country’s reputation beyond conventional tourism.

4.2 Projected Outcomes and Conclusion

The successful familiarization tour is a significant milestone. The continued focus on integrating sustainability with luxury is expected to yield several positive outcomes:

• Enhanced Global Reputation: Solidifying Indonesia’s image as a premier destination for sustainable and culturally rich luxury travel.
• Economic Benefits: Attracting continued investment and high-value tourism from Europe and other long-haul markets.
• Leadership in Sustainability: Reinforcing Indonesia’s role as a leader in responsible tourism within Southeast Asia.

In conclusion, by aligning its tourism development with the Sustainable Development Goals, Indonesia is not only attracting a discerning travel market but is also building a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally responsible tourism industry for the future.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article focuses on developing Indonesia’s tourism industry as a major economic contributor. By targeting the “high-end,” “higher-spending” luxury travel market, Indonesia aims to increase revenue and foster economic growth through a key service sector. The promotion of “local culture and products” through tourism is a central theme.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • This goal is relevant through its focus on protecting cultural and natural heritage. The article repeatedly emphasizes Indonesia’s efforts in “the preservation of Indonesia’s heritage” and its recognition for the “protection, management, and maintenance of its UNESCO sites and World Heritage sites,” as well as natural assets like “rainforests, wildlife, [and] coastal ecosystems.”

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The core theme of the article is the promotion of “sustainable tourism,” which directly aligns with ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. Indonesia is marketing itself as a destination for “responsible, sustainable tourism” by showcasing “eco-friendly practices and sustainable resource management tourism” and attracting travelers who “support eco sustainable tourism practices.”

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The initiative described is a clear example of a partnership to achieve sustainable development. The article highlights the “collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the French market” and mentions promotions with “French travel agencies and luxury tour operators.” This public-private partnership is crucial to the success of the program.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
  • The article details a specific policy in action: a government-backed luxury tour designed to promote Indonesia as a “leading destination in sustainable tourism.” This initiative directly promotes local culture through immersive experiences involving “multicultural arts, and traditional, Indonesian music and cuisine,” visits to temples, and interactions with “local craftspeople.”

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
  • The article explicitly states that Indonesia is “being recognized for the protection, management, and maintenance of its UNESCO sites and World Heritage sites.” The entire tourism strategy is built upon showcasing and thus incentivizing the preservation of its cultural heritage (temples, dance) and natural heritage (rainforests, coastal ecosystems).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.b: Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
  • The “Around the World: Visages et Civilisations du Monde 2025” tour serves as a tool to implement and showcase Indonesia’s sustainable tourism policies. The article notes that travelers “interacted with community members and participants in sustainable tourism practices, including eco-friendly farming, and community resource management conservation,” demonstrating the implementation of these practices on the ground.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
  • The article is centered on such a partnership. It describes the “collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy” (a public entity) with the “French market,” which includes private “French travel agencies and luxury tour operators.” This partnership is presented as a model for future collaborations with “other markets around the world.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• Implied Indicator (related to 8.9.1 – Tourism direct GDP): The article implies that a key measure of success is the economic contribution of tourism. It notes that the strategy is to attract “higher-spending tourism” and that tourism’s “contribution in the travel sector is predicted to be significant in the coming years.” An increase in tourist spending and the sector’s GDP contribution would be a primary indicator.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Implied Indicator (related to 11.4.1 – Expenditure on preservation): The article mentions that the “Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) of Indonesia” sponsored the tour. This government expenditure to promote its cultural and natural heritage serves as an indicator of investment in its protection and preservation. The country’s “recognition” for managing its UNESCO sites also implies successful application of resources.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Implied Indicator (related to 12.b.1 – Number of sustainable tourism strategies): The “2025 Global Familiarization Tour for French Luxury Travelers” is presented as a specific, implemented strategy. The article suggests it is “the first of its kind” and that Indonesia will likely “form new collaborations,” indicating that the number and scope of such implemented sustainable tourism programs can be used as a measure of progress.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Implied Indicator: The number of international public-private partnerships established for sustainable tourism. The article frames the collaboration with the French market as a successful pilot, stating that “the country is likely to form new collaborations with other markets around the world.” Tracking the formation of these new partnerships would be a direct indicator of progress toward this target.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: travelandtourworld.com