Sandiaga Uno: HLF-MSP And IAF 2024 Strengthen Indonesian Tourism And Creative Economy Cooperation With Africa

Sandiaga Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency. (IST)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf), Sandiaga Uno, emphasized that the implementation of the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (HLF-MSP) and Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024 is an important momentum to strengthen Indonesia's tourism sector and the creative economy cooperation between Indonesia and African countries.

"This meeting not only resulted in cooperation that encouraged the growth of the tourism sector and the creative economy, but also strengthened the image of Indonesian Tourism in the African region," said Sandiaga Uno as written statement received by VOI from an event from the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Bali, Tuesday, September 3.

Sandiaga emphasized that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Africa have existed for a long time, but in the tourism sector and the creative economy, there are still many potentials that need to be explored. "Africa is a continent with a bright future, large markets, and abundant resources. Therefore, this meeting needs to be supported by activities that strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector and the creative economy," he added.

As a follow-up to President Joko Widodo's direction, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has explored cooperation with several African countries, such as Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, and Zanzibar. The cooperation areas offered include tourism promotion, product development, increasing human resource capacity, sustainable tourism, MICE, investment, and connectivity.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports an increase in foreign tourist visits (tourists) from Africa to Indonesia, with a total of 33,185 visits from January to June 2024. South Africa is the largest contributor, followed by Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Kenya. Although this number is still below the 2019 achievement, the growth in visits from Africa increased by 20.10 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

"The destinations that African tourists are most interested in include nature, culture, and religious tourism, with Bali as the main destination. We focus on offering quality Indonesian tourism," explained Sandiaga Uno.

The cooperation established during the implementation of the 2024 HLF-MSP and 2024 IAF is expected to increase hotel occupancy rates, extend the duration of visits, and increase African tourist spending which will have a positive impact on the national economy.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Resources and Institutions of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy,tender M. Understand, adding that one of the areas of cooperation offered is the exchange of expertise, in which Indonesia and Africa can learn from each other, including in the organization of MICE.

Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Products of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Muhammad Neil El Himam, also highlighted that the service sector has a great opportunity in trading in the creative economy with Africa. "Batik has gained popularity in the African market, but it would be better if other Indonesian creative economy products are also growing in Africa," said Neil.