SERANG – The Minister of Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, expressed his firm conviction that the tourism appeal along Anyer Beach will continue to rise, potentially displacing Bali as the nation's most-visited tourist destination. He noted that Anyer possesses a vast array of untapped tourism potential, offering significant opportunities for growth through cross-sectoral collaboration.

"We will fully support villages that intersect with tourism hubs. Banten offers beach tourism, cultural tourism, culinary tourism, nature tourism, and much more. We will implement cross-sectoral collaboration because we leave institutional egos aside. If tourism villages in Banten advance—backed by a thriving creative economy and guaranteed halal products—I am confident Banten can eventually surpass Bali one day," he stated during the Exciting Banten Festival 2026 at Cibeureum 1 Beach Anyer, Cinangka, Serang Regency, on Sunday (June 28, 2026).

Minister Yandri explained that if government sectors collaborate closely with private enterprises and local communities, it is highly possible for tourism along Anyer and other regions in Banten Province to become increasingly prominent among local, domestic, and international tourists. Naturally, this strategy must be actualized by leveraging advancements in information and communication technology, such as social media platforms.

"Social media acts as our primary advertising and promotional tool. Therefore, we call upon all stakeholders, whether directly or indirectly involved, to cultivate hospitality, courtesy, and good manners to show to the public, as these qualities are key to attracting visitors," Minister Yandri added.

Centering on the theme "Ayo ke Banten" (Come to Banten), the Exciting Banten Festival 2026 was highlighted by Minister Yandri as concrete proof that tourism and village empowerment can thrive hand in hand. This synergy was evident from the dozens of MSME tenants lining the festival bazaar, the majority of which hailed from rural villages across Banten.

The festival featured various competitions—including the Banten Traditional Fabric (Wastra) Competition, Regional Dance Competition, Content Creator Competition, and the Banten Punya Bakat (Banten's Got Talent) show—providing vital platforms for rural youths to showcase their creativity and talent. Furthermore, the integration of public services at the festival, such as health check-ups, business licensing, ID card processing, and BUMDes consultations, served as a tangible display of state presence within rural communities.

This event also reflects the provincial government’s active support for President Prabowo Subianto's 6th Asta Cita (Aspiration), which has been translated into the Ministry's "12 Strategic Actions to Build Villages and Build Indonesia." The Minister extended his appreciation to the Governor of Banten, Andra Soni, and his administration for consistently organizing multi-sectoral initiatives to elevate regional tourism quality.

Photo: Angga/Kemendes PDT 
Text: Ria/Kemendes PDT