INDONESIA’S DIGITAL DIPLOMACY IN DEVELOPING THE HALAL TOURISM INDUSTRY

Indonesia, a country with a rich Islamic heritage and a significant number of Muslim tourists, has experienced a decline in global tourist arrivals in 2020 due to the worldwide impact of the pandemic. This decline is impacting the tourism industry, which is a leading sector. The Indonesian government is exploring ways to encourage an increase in tourist visits, particularly to halal tourism destinations, through the use of digital diplomacy. This research endeavors to shed light on Indonesia's digital diplomacy efforts and their potential for fostering the growth of the halal tourism industry. The objective of this study is to gain insight into how Indonesia is employing digital diplomacy to advance the development of the halal tourism industry. To gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, a qualitative research method was employed, utilizing a literature study. Information was gathered from a variety of secondary sources and documents about the subject matter of this research. The data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. The findings suggest that digital diplomacy has emerged as a valuable tool for Indonesia in the development and promotion of halal tourism. Indonesia has employed digital diplomacy to enhance the government's internal capabilities in operations and communication through the Tourist Information Center online portal, disseminating information and tourism promotion via social media, fostering interaction with citizens, and strengthening collaboration with various international stakeholders in halal tourism.