Tourism Sector Must Become Engine to Boost Forex Reserves: President Jokowi

President Jokowi accompanied by VP Ma’ruf Amin leads a Limited Meeting on the Development of Priority Tourism Destinations, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (21/11). (Photo by: Jay/ Public Relations)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet to accelerate the development of priority tourist destinations.

“We are in a neck and neck race with other countries. Tourism sector must become an engine to boost our foreign exchange reserves and to create multiplier effects that stimulate our economic growth,” President Jokowi said in his introductory remarks at a Limited Meeting on the Development of Priority Tourism Destinations, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Thursday (21/11).

The President also reminded his Cabinet on five focuses in the acceleration of five tourist destinations development.

The first one is to improve spatial management for priority tourism areas, while the second one is to improve access and connectivity to the tourism destinations by expanding airport runways, revamping airport terminals, constructing access road to the destinations, improving seaports and its surrounding areas to facilitate tourists.

The third one is to improve packaging and facilities in tourism events. “We should pay attention to traditional costumes, calendar of events (top 100 attractions/events in Indonesia), and annual events,” the President said.

The fourth one is to do massive promotion, while the last one and also the most important one is to prepare human resources who will contribute to the development of tourism sector.

The President has also ordered Minister of Education and Culture to give directives to vocational schools located in tourism destinations’ surrounding areas to focus on tourism sector.

“In addition, sanitary issues should also receive our attention. Please address the problem of trash and plastic litter in tourist destination spots,” President Jokowi said, adding that the Government will focus on developing Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Manado, and Borobudur temple for now. (TGH/SM/JAY/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Reviewed by : M. Ersan Pamungkas