Tourism needs infrastructure development

December 28, 2016, 02.47 PM  | Reporter: Dina Mirayanti Hutauruk, Febrina Ratna Iskana
Tourism needs infrastructure development


JAKARTA. Ministry of Tourism is targeting to attract 15 million foreign tourists in 2017, up by 25% from 12 million tourists in 2016. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourisms in 2017 may reach 265 travellers.

In order to achieve the targets, Ministry of Tourism has prepared Rp 2 trillion of total budgets of this institution that amounts to Rp 3.8 trillion for promoting local tourism destinations. The Ministry of Tourism is adapting three strategies, including on branding, advertising, and sales promotion. “We will focus on digital advertising and promotion” said Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Wednesday (21/12).

The strategies also aim at accelerating the development of non-Bali tourism destinations, namely Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Tanjung Kelayang (Belitung), Tanjung Lesung (Banten), Thousand Islands (Jakarta), Borobudur Temple, Bromo Tengger Semeru, Mandalika (Lombok), Labuan Bajo (Flores), Wakatobi (South East Sulawesi), and Morotai (Maluku).

Tourism business participants positively respond that business projection. President Director of Smailing Tour Anthony Akili projects that the company’s business may be growing by 10%-12% in the next year.

Therefore, Smailing is targeting to increase the inbound tourists by 50% to 30,000 tourists in 2017, while the outbound tourists may increase by 10%-15% to 50,000 tourists.

In terms of inbound business, Smailing is regarding the potentials of China’s tourists. Therefore, Smailing has built cooperation with some travel bureaus in Guangzhou, China. “We are focusing in serving premium tourists,” he said.

Aside of from China, Smailing is also targeting tourists from Latin America, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. However, Anthony did not specify the target of inbound tourists from Latin America.

Favorite destinations

According to Anthony, Bali and Yogyakarta will still be the favorite tourism destinations. However, number of tourists have also targeted other destinations betond Bali and Yogyakarta, such as Komodo Island, Raja Ampat, and Lombok.

For local tourists, Bandung and Cirebon remain attractive. “Many Jakarta residents visit Bandung and Cirebon during weekend,” Anton told KONTAN recently.

However, Vice President of Brand and Communication of PT Panorama Sentrawisata Tbk AB Sadewa estimates that some tourism destinations such as Raja Ampat and Labuhan Bajo lack sufficient infrastructures. As the result, the travelling costs to those area are higher than travelling abroad.

He expects that government will pay attention on the infrastructures of tourism destinations. AB Sadewa compared Bali, which has sufficient infrastructure, with Derawan. “Derawan is only suitable for surfers, not for family tourists,” he told KONTAN.

Meanwhile, main outbond tourism destinations will still be the countries, which offer free visa facilities for Indonesian tourists, such as Japan and South Korea. Aside of those countries, China will still be the favourite destination. “This is for a short term,” said President Director of PT Bayu Buana Agustinus Pake Seto. Bali dan Yogyakarta remain the favorite destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.

(Muhammad Farid/Translator)

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