Sandiaga Uno Aims For Batam, Medan, Surabaya And Solo As Shopping Tourism Destinations

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (behind the gong) in Indonesia Retail Summit (IRS) 2023, in Jakarta, Tuesday (15/8/2023). BETWEEN/Ade Irma Junida

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno is targeting the potential of Batam (Riau Islands), Medan (North Sumatra) to Surabaya (East Java) and Solo (Central Java) to become shopping tourism destinations, especially for foreign tourists (tourists) in Indonesia. According to Sandiaga, currently Indonesia has two shopping tourist destinations, namely Jakarta and Bali. "The three main doors for foreign tourists are Bali, Jakarta, Riau Islands. So there are opportunities in Batam. But we see now there is a direct flight to Kualanamu, meaning Medan will boom," Sandiaga said in Indonesia Retail Summit (IRS) 2023, in Jakarta, Antara, Tuesday, August 15. Sandiaga assessed that the increase in Medan was seen based on its location as the entrance for South Asian tourists. According to him, this potential must be worked on and developed. On the other hand, the cities of Surabaya and Solo also have great potential in line with the high interest of tourists. In addition, Sandiaga also mentioned the potential of other cities including the capital city of the archipelago (IKN). "Surabaya is also very big and other cities, such as Solo. There are also many enthusiasts. There are several other cities that will follow, especially IKN. IKN also definitely needs retail, so Mrs. Shinta (Chairman of Apindo) needs to move many entrepreneurs there too," he said again. The former Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta said that Indonesia was in the top position in ASEAN in the retail sector. As for the creative economy sector, Indonesia occupies the top three in the world with a contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reaching around 7.8-10 percent. Sandiaga said Indonesia only lost to the United States with its Hollywood and South Korea with its drama and music, while Indonesia was in third place. "Strengthening various sectors including retail is expected that we can be able to encourage our economy to be even stronger in the future," he also said. Furthermore, responding to Sandiaga Uno's request, Chairman of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) Shinta W Kamdani admitted that the business world had started targeting business development in IKN. However, he admitted that currently entrepreneurs are still focused on basic sectors and facilities such as health and education.

"We have also started developing at IKN, for basic facilities first such as health, education, maybe yesterday someone committed to building maybe simple malls. What is certain is that all of this is to be able to also provide services for residents who will be there," said Shinta.