President Jokowi Calls Out Regional Govt to Boost Domestic Tourism

President Jokowi in a briefing to ministers, heads of institutions, regional heads, heads of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regional military commanders (pangdam), regional police chiefs (kapolda), and heads of the high prosecutor’s office (kajati), in Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Thursday (09/29). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged regional governments to promote domestic tourism to the public.

This was stated by the President in a briefing to ministers, heads of institutions, regional heads, heads of state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regional military commanders (pangdam), regional police chiefs (kapolda), and heads of the high prosecutor’s office (kajati), in Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Thursday (09/29).

“Once again, do invite the public to travel in our own country,” said the President.

He went on to say that Indonesia has abundant tourist destinations, such as Bali, Labuan Bajo, Wakatobi, Toba, Raja Ampat, Bromo, Yogyakarta, Bangka Belitung, Borobudur, Jakarta, and others.

“Why in a global crisis like today, people choose to travel abroad?” he added.

He underscored that the large number of people who travel abroad will cause a deficit in the tourism sector, considering that the number of foreign tourists who come to the country has not increased yet.

“This can cause deficit in the tourism sector—if the number of people travel abroad is bigger than people who visit Indonesia. Our foreign exchange can reduce if we cannot refrain ourselves, be careful,” he said, while emphasizing that working visit abroad by government officials should also bring benefits to Indonesia.

“I received more than twenty invitations to visit other countries per year, yet I only go to at least two or three countries. If it will not bring benefits for the country, I refrain myself and better to save the budget. This is what we really need to do—to refrain ourselves and to remind the people,” he remarked. (MAY/UN) (EST/MMB)