Kendal Regency pushes creative economy to boost tourism

The Kendal Regency government is focusing on developing the creative economy to bolster local tourism. During a socialization event for human resource development in Kendal on October 13, 2026, officials highlighted the significant gap in intellectual property protection among local businesses.

Mardi Edi Susilo, Head of the Kendal Regency Department of Youth, Sports, and Tourism, reported that out of 380 creative economy actors in the regency, only 26 have registered their intellectual property. The remaining 354 businesses have not yet sought such protection. The sector currently employs 196 men and 184 women.

Regent Dyah Kartika Permanasari emphasized that creative economy plays a vital role in tourism revival by transforming local arts, culture, culinary specialties, and natural destinations into high-value products and services. Additionally, representatives from the Central Java Youth Entrepreneur Forum stressed the importance of shifting mindsets toward collective collaboration to ensure business success.