Jakarta, Oct. 1 -- Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stressed that the government envisions the Wonderful Indonesia Gourmet (WIG) program as a strategic initiative to position Indonesia as a world-class gastronomic tourism destination.

"Indonesia is a country with vast potential, from natural and cultural wealth to the richness and authenticity of its cuisine. Today, we direct our attention to gastronomy," she remarked in a statement cited in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening of the WIG Talkshow in Bali on Tuesday (September 30), Wardhana explained that the program was designed to intensify the global promotion of Indonesia's culinary potential through curated gastronomic tourism packages.

Launched earlier in Jakart...