Mohammad Toha Urges Integrated Tour Packages to Develop Semarang’s Tourism Potential

PARLEMENTARIA, Semarang - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission VII Mohammad Toha has urged the Semarang City Government to link its various tourist destinations by developing integrated tour packages. The initiative is expected to boost tourist numbers while stimulating the local economy, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) around the destinations.

He made the remarks during a working visit by the House of Representatives’ Commission VII to Semarang, Central Java, on Friday (November 13, 2026). He said Semarang has a wide range of tourism potential, from nature, culture, and religious tourism to man-made attractions and special-interest tourism, which could be combined into a single itinerary.

“Semarang City has a lot of tourism potential. There are natural attractions such as Jatibarang Reservoir and Kreo Cave, as well as cultural destinations such as the Old Town, Chinatown, Kampung Melayu, and Kampung Batik. Bringing them together in tour packages specifically for Semarang City would be excellent,” Toha said.

He said tour-package development should be backed by clear visitor targets and measurable programs. Destinations should be connected so tourists can enjoy a variety of experiences in a single trip, rather than simply visiting attractions separately.

Toha also highlighted the importance of documenting and digitizing the history, myths, and legends associated with each destination. He said compelling stories could offer an added attraction while encouraging tourists to learn more about Semarang’s rich history and culture.

“Those stories would be fascinating if they were published in books and digitized. When people are drawn to a story or legend, they become curious and visit to see for themselves. When tourists come, MSME products will sell, and an economic ecosystem will take shape,” he explained.

He also called for coastal tourism, including Kampung Bahari and beach areas in Genuk, Tugu, and North Semarang, to be linked with other destinations. This potential could be packaged into tours featuring culinary experiences, fish auctions, history, and opportunities to explore the coast.

At the same time, he stressed the importance of keeping every destination clean and comfortable while protecting the environment. Site managers should also provide space for creativity and activities and attractions that enrich visitors’ experiences. He cited the use of lighting technology to tell the stories of historic buildings, as has been done in Jakarta’s Old Town area.

According to Toha, packaging destinations into appealing, affordable, and comfortable tour packages can strengthen Semarang’s tourism appeal. This is expected to increase tourist numbers and bring economic benefits to communities around the tourist areas.

“We shouldn’t just leave things as they are. People who want to go there can go there, and those who want to go here can go here, but we need packages so that all the destinations work together. Ideally, the packages would be affordable and comfortable. These days, travel and unwinding have become basic needs,” Toha concluded. (est)