JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said the number of foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia in April 2022 through the main entrance reached more than 11,000, up five times or 499 percent compared to by April 2021.
Menparekraf Sandiaga said this achievement showed the recovery of the tourism sector and the creative economy was getting more real, in line with the increasingly controlled handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and various policy relaxations carried out by the Indonesian government.
When compared to the previous month or month on month, the number of foreign tourist visits in April 2022 increased by 172 percent. Foreign tourist visits to Indonesia are dominated by tourists from five countries, namely Australia as much as 14 percent, Singapore 11.4 percent, Malaysia 7.8 percent, India 6.1 percent and the UK 5.5 percent.
Looking at these figures, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy is optimistic that the tourist arrival data in May 2022 and the following months will increase significantly. He also predicts that the peak of this increase in tourists will fall in July and August 2022.
"Hopefully if the pandemic situation is under control and the number of flights to Indonesia, especially Bali, can continue to be increased. The recent boom in tourism gives optimism that this year's target will be achieved, God willing, the movement of domestic tourists is 550 million, yesterday when going home was partially achieved, foreign tourist arrivals were 1.8 to 3.6 million foreign tourists and the realization of tourism investment this year was 2, 5 billion US dollars," said Menparekraf Sandiaga in his official statement, Tuesday, June 14.
Menparekraf Sandiaga said Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf would continue to coordinate with related parties, both the Ministry of SOEs, the Ministry of Transportation, international and national airlines to open and increase the frequency of flights to Indonesia, especially Bali.
"We want to explore opportunities to open new routes and routes, such as Wakatobi, Belitung, and several routes that now require additional flights," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
Although he is aware of course there are many challenges or obstacles faced in opening new routes and adding flight schedules. For example, the limited number of planes, although demand is increasing, the number of aircraft is still very limited, this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has made these planes furloughed, even human resources have also been laid off.
"And currently airlines have also carried out revitalization, now there are around 350 aircraft operating out of 550. Of course we need to respond to this because many are still undergoing maintenance," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
In addition, not all countries implement a border opening policy, for example China, which has not yet opened its borders. Foreign tourists from China themselves are very potential and very significant for Indonesia.
"Therefore, we will continue to maintain and maintain the momentum of our revival. We hope that the increasing tourist visits will open up business opportunities and employment opportunities," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
In addition, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy wants an active role for creative tourism players to promote tourism, ranging from travel agents, tour operators, to MSME actors. Because while waiting for the plane to be ready to operate normally, tourism promotions will also continue to be carried out to maintain tourist awareness of Indonesian tourist destinations.
"We also want the participation of tourism and creative industry players, not only the government doing promotions, but also travel agents and creative economy players participating in major world fairs, increasing cooperation through joint promotion schemes with travel agents and tour operators as well as originating sellers or in the market. We continue to collaborate with Indonesian representatives abroad, the Indonesian Embassy in Indonesia and the Indonesian Consulate General, as well as the Indonesian Consulate General, as well as the place of origin of tourists.
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