Indonesia’s rich spice commodities are poised to become a cornerstone of the nation’s distinctive natural tourism offerings. This ambitious vision was articulated by Siti Nur Azizah Ma’ruf Amin, the Chairperson of the Nusantara Spice Enthusiasts Association (APREN).
Siti highlighted that spices hold significant allure for European and American nations, particularly those embracing a “back-to-nature” lifestyle. “Countries like those in Europe are keenly interested in this commodity, and now America is also returning to a ‘back-to-nature’ approach. Malaysia has already recognized this potential, a foresight I believe our own tourism sector has yet to fully appreciate,” Siti stated, as quoted by Antara.
Siti also drew attention to Indonesia’s lag in halal product exports compared to other nations, a shortfall she attributes to the nation’s oversight in recognizing spices as an incredibly valuable commodity within this sector. “Yet, spices can be powerfully promoted as one of Indonesia’s prime halal products,” she asserted.
According to Siti, the demand for halal products is currently on a substantial rise, complemented by a growing trend of people adopting healthier lifestyles. This convergence of factors presents an opportune moment for the strategic integration of spices into Indonesia’s tourism sector.
Beyond the potential to significantly boost tourist arrivals, this initiative is believed to be key in restoring Indonesia’s global supremacy in spices. “We aspire for Indonesian spices to truly ‘flavor the world’. This endeavor requires a comprehensive upstream-to-downstream approach, with the entire ecosystem meticulously prepared. The Indonesian spice market, being an inherent part of the halal product sector, currently lacks an optimally developed ecosystem,” Siti elaborated.
In promoting spices as a halal tourism product, they can be introduced as flavorful culinary ingredients renowned for their strong aroma and ability to significantly enhance the taste of food.
Furthermore, Siti advised the government to weave captivating stories about the historical significance of spices to Indonesia, recounting how they were highly coveted by foreign arrivals since the era of the VOC. Despite their strong potential in the tourism sector, however, the existing ecosystem regrettably requires considerable improvement. The quality of spices has unfortunately declined, largely due to soil contamination from chemical fertilizers and the advanced age of the plants, impacting their vibrancy and potency.
Further challenges arise from packaging, which requires significant enhancement to captivate tourist interest and curiosity. “From the perspective of local empowerment, the government can proactively engage the younger generation – many of whom are adopting healthier lifestyles – by introducing them to spices through appealing and innovative methods,” Siti concluded, emphasizing the need for creative outreach.