West Java pushes Muslim-friendly tourism with awards and data portal

West Java's provincial government is actively promoting Muslim-friendly tourism through the "Smiling West Java-Muslim Friendly Tourism (SWJ-MFT) Award 2026." This initiative aims to spur local governments and businesses across the province to implement standardized practices for Muslim-friendly tourism. The event also marked the launch of a data portal for the National Tourism Development Index (IPKN) of West Java, intended to bolster data-driven tourism management.

During the launch in Depok, West Java Governor Erwan Setiawan expressed hope for the program's success in positively impacting Muslim-friendly tourism development. He lauded the SWJ-MFT Award and the IPKN portal as visionary steps, stating that modern tourism management requires robust data, precise policies, extensive collaboration, and inclusive strategies. "Tourism today cannot be managed in the old way, but must be built with strong data, appropriate policies, broad collaboration, and inclusive approaches," Setiawan remarked.

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Tourism today cannot be managed in the old way, but must be built with strong data, appropriate policies, broad collaboration, and inclusive approaches.

Setiawan highlighted that the award and the data portal are complementary. The award strengthens the quality of the Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem, while the portal enhances standardized, verified, and integrated tourism data governance. He noted West Java's significant potential, including its natural beauty, rich culture, welcoming people, and developing infrastructure, but stressed that potential alone is insufficient. "Potential alone is not enough. A system is needed that can direct that potential so that West Java's tourism is competitive," he stated.

The Head of the West Java Department of Tourism and Culture, Iendra Sofyan, explained that the SWJ-MFT Award is not just a ceremony but a momentum to improve standardization through intensive hospitality training and workshops. The department is continuously developing innovations for Muslim-friendly tourism, also focusing on accessibility aspects.

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This event is not just an award ceremony, but a momentum to improve standardization through intensive training and workshops related to hospitality.