Palembang City tourism for 2026. This Media Gathering event, organized by the Palembang City Tourism Office, invited online media, content creators, and influencers to learn more about this major program.
The main focus of the event was to introduce “Charming Events of Palembang 2026,” a tourism calendar that aims to make Palembang a vibrant destination all year round, with activities ranging from cultural festivals, sports, music, arts, culinary, and MICE events.
The event was moderated by Drs. Fahmi Fadhillah, ST., MT., Head of the Palembang City Tourism Marketing Division, creating a warm atmosphere from the start, opening up space for relaxed yet focused discussions.
Acting The Head of the Palembang City Tourism Office, Mr. M. Irman, S.STP., M.Sc., stated that of the 135 events planned for 2026, ten flagship events are being prepared to attract tourists and boost the local economy. Here are the details:
- Traditional Bidar Boat Festival — a traditional Palembang boat on the Musi River.
- Sriwijaya Festival — highlighting the historical heritage of the Sriwijaya Kingdom.
- Ampera Tourism Run — a running race along the iconic Ampera Bridge.
- Ziarah Kubro — a religious activity and pilgrimage to the graves of religious scholars and saints in Palembang.
- Cap Go Meh Pulau Kemaro — a celebration of Chinese culture on Kemaro Island.
- Gemilang Palembang Raya — a city festival highlighting local pride.
- Sriwijaya Lantern Festival — a lantern festival that lights up the Palembang night.
- Bujang Gadis Palembang Election — a contest for local young men and women.
- Halal Nusantara Culinary Festival — a halal culinary festival with Indonesian flavors.
- The UMKM Charm Festival—a new event to empower local MSMEs.
Two flagship events, the Traditional Bidar Boat Festival and the Sriwijaya Festival, were even nominated for the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara Award from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.
Ambitious targets were set: 2.3 million tourists and a potential local revenue (PAD) of IDR 366 billion from the tourism sector. Irman emphasized that these 135 events are expected to provide tangible benefits to local communities, including MSMEs, souvenir shops, and other tourism businesses.
A Relaxed but Colorful Discussion
The discussion session became lively as several participants shared their perspectives and highlighted the importance of engaging Gen Z, who seek interactive and Instagrammable experiences. The lantern festival or Ampera Tourism Run, for example, could be packaged to appeal more to the younger generation through creative digital content.
The conversation turned to Palembang’s culinary specialties. Empek-empek, kapal selam (submarine), lenjer, and creative pempek (rice cake) were highlighted as authentic culinary tourism attractions. Some participants even joked about wanting to try all the variations before the festival began.
The atmosphere became even more lively when a participant from Palembang shared insights into local culture, local customs, and tips for authentic travel experiences. Her presence added color and reminded us that tourism isn’t just about events, but also about the human stories behind a city, including enjoying local cuisine on a boat on the Musi River.
Closing the Event
The gathering concluded with a communal lunch. The attendees had a relaxed discussion, exchanged ideas, and planned future collaborations, including how Gen Z, influencers, and the media could help promote Palembang’s 135 events in 2026.
With the launch of this 135-event calendar, Palembang affirms its position as a dynamic, vibrant city, ready to be recognized as an experience-based tourism destination, relevant throughout the year, and empowering the local community.
