Gov’t to Take Measures to Boost Tourism
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama delivers statement in a press conference after Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (17/2). Photo by: Rahmat/PR.
In a bid to improve Indonesia’s tourism, the Government will take several measures to be implemented in the near future, including “inbound strategy” involving other Government ministries and Government institutions, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama has said.
“Inbound strategy is important to generate foreign exchange for Indonesia, so that the mindset of the airlines and other stakeholders will be directed to bring foreigners to enter Indonesia, not the other way around,” the Minister told the reporters after Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (17/2).
Wishnutama also said that Indonesia seeks to improve its ranking in Tourism Competitiveness Index, from the current 40th position.
“We seek to increase our ranking to 36th-38th position in 2021. As an illustration, Thailand is now in 31st position, Vietnam is ranked 63rd, and Malaysia is ranked 29th,” the Minister said, adding that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has decided to increase the number of seat capacity to Indonesia in a bid to address the problem of connectivity and seat capacity.
Wishnutama went on to say that Thailand has 57 million seat capacity, while Singapore has 35 million, and Malaysia has 44.8 million. Indonesia, he added, has 25 million seat capacity with a loud factor of 76% which is higher than its neighboring countries.
“We should improve our connectivity and seat capacity, and look for potentials from countries or cities that become our target market,” the Minister said.
He pointed out an example of Australia that had 9 million tourists in 2019 with the foreign exchange of US$31 billion, while Malaysia had 25 million tourists with the foreign exchange of US$25 billion.
Regarding coronavirus outbreak, Wishnutama said that the Limited Cabinet Meeting has discussed several measures to provide incentives and flight discounts.
“The President has instructed me, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Finance to review incentive schemes that we can immediately implement and we will announce the details this week,” he said.
Wishnutama further said that this period is very important because February, March, and April are booking period for summer vacation.
The coronavirus outbreak, he added, could have an impact on the summer vacation period, and it takes time to recover (the tourism).
“The Government will take all necessary measures. We will work closely with Minister of Finance, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises in terms of incentives, discounts, etc. We can implement the policy in the shortest time possible,” Wishnutama said. (TGH/EN)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani
