Jakarta, Jan. 15 -- Indonesia's Tourism Ministry and Ministry of Cooperatives have agreed to accelerate the formation of cooperatives in tourist villages, aiming to ensure tourism development delivers direct economic benefits to local communities under the Red and White Village Cooperatives (KDMP) program.

The partnership was formalized through the signing of a cooperation agreement in Jakarta on Wednesday, Jan. 14, according to an official statement received on Thursday.

"We are committed to ensuring tourism development provides tangible economic benefits for communities. Strengthening cooperatives is key to making rural economies more resilient and inclusive," said Hariyanto, a deputy at the Tourism Ministry.

Hariyanto said tourism s...