Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, in collaboration with the Semarang Regency Tourism Office held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Synergy of Culinary and Bandungan Iconic Natural Tourism Attractions, Tuesday 27/6/2023 in Bandungan. The activity, attended by the Managers of Culinary Tourism and Bandungan Natural Tourism, invited 3 speakers.

The three speakers were Drs. Heru Subroto, M.M., Head of Diskumperindag Semarang Regency delivering material on ‘Synchronization of Policy and Potential of the Culinary Tourism and Bandungan Natural Tourism’; Prof. Dr. Budi Haryanto, MM., a Professor of Consumer Behavior FEB UNS with material entitled ‘Developing Synergy and Attraction of Culinary Tourism and Natural Tourism Based on Consumer Behavior’; and Mr. Eko, Owner of Pak Eko Fried Chicken, Semarang Municipality with material entitled ‘Managing and Developing Culinary Tourism Growth and Maintaining Local Tourism Excellence.’

Dr. Ahmad Ikhwan Setiawan, S.E., M.T., Head of FEB UNS Business Management Unit in his opening remarks revealed that this activity is part of a series of activities to develop tourist destinations and increase the synergy between culinary and natural tourism.

“This activity is a series of activities that we previously initiated in terms of how to develop tourist destinations. Thus, the objective of mapping how to set up a tourism business in Bandungan is accomplished. Indeed, natural tourism is closely correlated to culinary. That’s why we brought up this culinary topic. Finally, we hope to establish an appropriate network among tourism spots. Allowing the synergy of culinary tourism and natural tourism to maximize their benefits in the future,” he explained in front of 40 FGD participants.

Furthermore, he states that the image of Bandungan as a tourist area becomes the center of attraction facilitating the growth of various tourism spots in the surrounding Bandungan area. Various natural tourist destinations such as Gedong Songo Temple, Umbul Sidomukti, and Celosia Flower Park have proven to make Bandungan an iconic tourist spot. The power of Bandungan tourism also shines more brightly with the establishment of new destinations such as Banyukuning tourism and Perantunan tourism.

Various culinary and natural tourism potentials in Bandungan can complement each other to strengthen the iconic image of Semarang Municipality. The various unique characteristics of each tourist destination will strengthen the attraction to visit Bandungan