Sandiaga Uno Claims Foreign Tourists 'Only' Contributing IDR 300 Trillion: Local Tourists Can Be IDR 1.500 Trillion!

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno (Photo: Instagram @sandiuno)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Sandiaga Uno said the contribution of local tourists to the economy in Indonesia is more valuable than the contribution of foreign tourists.

When met by reporters at Taman Fatahillah, Kota Tua, Jakarta, Wednesday, April 28, Sandi said the latest Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data showed that the contribution of local tourists to the country's economy reached nearly five percent of Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"The contribution of domestic tourists (local tourists) to the economy is IDR 1.400 to IDR 1.500 trillion, almost five percent of our GDP. Meanwhile, the contribution of foreign tourists is only IDR 275 trillion to IDR 300 trillion", Sandi said, quoted from Antara.

Therefore, Sandi assessed that the statement of the Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir was correct regarding the importance of attracting local tourists with improved services and facilities for the post-COVID-19 national economic recovery.

The Chief Executive of the Committee for Handling COVID-19 and National Economic Recovery (KPC-PEN) said that the construction of service facilities for domestic tourists in Indonesia is currently not optimal.

In fact, 78 percent of occupancy or the number of visits in tourist areas came from local tourists.

"There is 78 percent of (local) domestic tourists that we have not served. We are still half-hearted to serve local tourists", said Erick.

Therefore, Erick emphasized that the government, especially the Ministry of BUMN, will no longer hesitate in improving services and facilities for domestic tourists in various areas, such as in Lampung and the capital city of Jakarta this time.

"Because domestic tourist services are no less important than international tourist services", said Erick.

In encouraging local tourist facilities in the Capital City, the Ministry of BUMN is working with the Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta to build the Kota Tua area to the Port of Sunda Kelapa.

This collaboration was marked by the formation of a joint venture involving three business entities, including the State-Owned Enterprise PT Indonesian Tourism Development (ITDC) and the Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD) of DKI Jakarta Province, namely PT Jakarta Tourisindo ( Jakarta Experience Board/JXB) and PT Moda Integrasi Transport Jabodetabek (MITJ).

Erick said the collaboration with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government was not the first time. Previously, the Ministry of BUMN also collaborated with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government regarding the improvement of facilities for four integrated stations, which according to Erick, had been arranged so that they were no longer slum, including Juanda Station, Pasar Senen Station, Tanah Abang Station, and Sudirman Station.

"At first the station was shabby and confusing, Mr. Anies directly led it so that the station was very friendly and made it very easy for the people of Jakarta", said Erick.

He said the next target was the improvement of public facilities in Kota Tua to the Port of Sunda Kelapa which he dreamed of, such as Bali and Labuan Bajo.

"Yes, coincidentally, we ourselves are repairing Pelindo I-IV facilities, one of which is in Sunda Kelapa", said Erick.