Entrepreneurs Complain About The Minimal Indonesian Tourism Promotion Fund

Rupiah illustration (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Association of Indonesian Tourism Industries (GIPI) alluded to tourism promotional funds. Indonesia is considered not to have sufficient tourism promotional funds. The reason is, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is also minimal.

General Chairperson of GIPI Hariyadi Sukamdani also said that as long as Indonesia was established, the tourism sector was often considered only as an accessory.

"It's true that now the infrastructure development in the Jokowi era is very good, but if we talk about promotions for tourism, it's still limited," he said when met at The Langham Hotel, Jakarta, Wednesday, January 31.

Hariyadi also said that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) as a mentor in tourism development also has a very limited budget.

"The Mentor (Kemenparekraf) has a budget of IDR 3.8 trillion. It is very small and not in the process of promotion specifically for tourism," said Hariyadi.

Furthermore, Hariyadi also complained about the handling of tourism which was considered not to focus on the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. He also questioned why tourism was actually given to State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), namely InJourney.

"It's not in the process of being promoted specifically for that, isn't it. In fact, everything was held by SOEs yesterday, InJourney, what to do, all kinds of funds from them," he said.

Therefore, said Hariyadi, in the future it is hoped that this tourism fund can be managed by all parties. That way, he continued, it could bring maximum results. The reason is that if only the government manages it will not necessarily be suitable.

For example, continued Hariyadi, the 2023 World Beach Games event in Bali was canceled. He said, even if the event was canceled or not, the implementation would still not be maximized. Because, the election date is not right.

"Why? Billions of dates don't fit that way. When it's peak seasoning in Bali, looking for rooms are also half dead, looking for flight is also difficult, right. Even though he's an athlete, if I'm not mistaken, it's 3,000 people, right. From his supporters it's also difficult to go there. If we (tourism entrepreneurs) want to attract supporters," he said.