Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives has expressed its commitment to supporting the development of the tourism industry, particularly the MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) sector and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Madiun Raya region. This was conveyed by Banyu Biru Djarot, a member of Commission VII, during a socialization event on enhancing human resource capacity to support the MICE industry, held at Aston Hotel Madiun on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. In an interview with RRI Madiun, Banyu emphasized that the key to strengthening the MICE sector and the creative economy lies in having skilled human resources.
He further added that Madiun holds significant potential to compete in the MICE sector, particularly due to its rich local culture, such as its "city of martial artists" identity and world-famous pecel cuisine. "Slogans like ‘Kota Pendekar’ and ‘Kampung Pesilat Indonesia’ can be amplified as part of a cultural marketing strategy. If handled seriously, it could become a major economic tourism attraction," he explained. As a legislator representing Madiun, Mojokerto, Jombang, and Nganjuk, Banyu expressed his full commitment to advocating for budgetary support and programs that would empower SMEs and the creative economy. Nia Agmon, a Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Tourism, also highlighted the importance of involving local human resources in the MICE industry at regional, national, and international levels. The event was attended by tourism practitioners, cultural figures, and creative economy stakeholders from Madiun and surrounding areas, receiving high enthusiasm from participants.
