Rupiah Weakens, Sandiaga Uno Strives To Attract Tourists Through Added Connectivity

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno admitted that he had met with the Minister of Transportation (Menhub) Budi Karya Sumadi to discuss the increase in connectivity in the country.

The discussion was intended to attract more foreign tourists (tourists) to visit Indonesia.

"The way to attract more foreign tourists is to use increased connectivity. Because in terms of top of mind, Indonesia is still very high and especially Bali is the main attraction," said Menparekraf Sandiaga, quoted on Tuesday, June 25.

The man who is familiarly called Sandi said the government needed to increase connectivity, especially in the midst of weakening the rupiah against the US dollar.

"I talked to the Minister of Transportation (Budi Karya) there are several strategies for Indonesian tourism because of the current global economic situation. (Tourism index) Indonesia is in position 22, far behind neighboring countries. However, foreign tourists who enter are still in 5th position, below Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore," he said.

"So, we want to go back to the top 3. Well, of course we can do this by increasing the number of connectivity," he continued.

He added that the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya had conveyed several breakthroughs, especially new flights from the three main hubs which became long-holding routes, namely from India, Australia and there was a request from Russia.

Then, said Sandi, increasing additional logging hubs from the middle east. The three main hubs are Dubai, Doha and Istanbul.

Furthermore, North Asia with its main hubs are Tokyo, Seoul and Hong Kong.

"This is what we want to develop in the future. Hopefully it can be executed quickly. I want to make everyone aware that we can actually achieve the target of 14.3 million and if we open higher connectivity, the target above 14.3 million is very open," he said.

Meanwhile, the Adyatama of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Main Expert of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya, said that air transportation modes are indeed favorites for foreign tourists.

"So, it is true that the minister and the Minister of Transportation need to increase connectivity because this is the main means chosen or used by foreign tourists," he added.