PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Deputy Governor Erwan Setiawan encouraged culinary entrepreneurs to continue innovating so that traditional West Javanese food not only survives but is able to compete and have a wider market.

According to Erwan, innovation in traditional foods has been proven to increase a product's economic value. Several snacks once synonymous with simple fare have now evolved into popular culinary delights with high sales value.

"Please develop innovations. I hope there will be many more innovations so that West Java's culinary scene will become even more popular and more tourists will come to West Java just to sample the food," Erwan said while attending the inauguration of the Chairman and Management of the West Java Cafe and Restaurant Association (AKAR) for the 2026-2030 period.

The inauguration was held at RM Sindang Reret, Jalan Surapati No. 53, Bandung City, Wednesday (26/8/2026) evening.

He said that West Java has a large capital to develop the culinary industry because it is supported by a wealth of very diverse traditional foods from 27 districts/cities.

Various culinary specialties of West Java such as nasi timbel, karedok, lotek, batagor, surabi, peuyeum, and various other typical foods are considered to have great potential to be developed into superior regional products.

Erwan also sees the growth of culinary tourism in Bandung as a growing economic opportunity. The influx of people from outside the region who come to Bandung to enjoy the culinary delights is a market that businesses must capture.

"Our challenge today and going forward is how to elevate this delicious food into a strong business. How can local culinary delights have a strong brand," he said.

Therefore, Erwan hopes that the new AKAR West Java management will not only fulfill its organizational functions but also be able to drive the culinary industry ecosystem in West Java. He also urged AKAR administrators to be bold in implementing new innovations.

Meanwhile, Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the culinary sector has a close relationship with tourism development, including sports tourism, which is currently continuing to grow in Bandung City.

According to Farhan, various sporting events that bring in participants from outside the region have a broad economic impact because tourists not only visit the main event locations, but also stay, eat, shop, and tour various areas.

"Sports tourism is indeed one of Bandung's mainstays. Many of those who come to Bandung, especially for competitions, come from outside the city," said Farhan.

Farhan believes this situation presents an opportunity for culinary businesses to capitalize on the economic benefits of increased tourist visits.

He also highlighted the presence of Persib Bandung, which he considered had contributed to significant economic activity, particularly with the management of the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium and the increasing number of spectator visits from outside Bandung.

"With Persib winning the championship, it attracts a lot of people from outside Bandung. This also creates opportunities for various culinary businesses," he said.

Farhan added that the City of Bandung and the West Java Provincial Government need to continue collaborating to build a healthy culinary business ecosystem while increasing the competitiveness of business actors.

He emphasized that business associations such as AKAR should be a forum for communication and collaboration, not a cartel that hinders competition.

"In the collaboration that is being forged through this association, I really don't expect this association to become a cartel, but rather a communication platform for healthy competition," he said.

Farhan hopes that strengthening the culinary industry in Bandung City can be a catalyst for the development of the cafe and restaurant industry in various regions in West Java.

"God willing, we will continue to collaborate to make culinary arts a mainstay of West Java tourism," he concluded.

WEST JAVA PUBLIC RELATIONS
Head of the Communication and Information Service of West Java Province
Adi Komar