The land of a thousand islands is developing tourism.

SGGP June 26, 2023 08:29

Indonesia's efforts to revive its tourism industry and its proactive policies to promote its recovery have earned the trust of the global community, contributing to its recent election to the Executive Board of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), representing the East Asia and Pacific region, for the 2023-2027 term.

A resort in Bali. Photo: KEMENPAREKRAF.GO.ID

With Indonesia's new role at the UNWTO, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno called on all stakeholders and citizens to unite to develop the "non-polluting industry" not only nationally, but also regionally and globally. Besides promoting culinary culture and prioritizing the development of tourism villages to showcase traditional arts and culture, Indonesia is also focusing on boosting tourism on several islands dubbed paradises. Last year, Indonesia hosted World Tourism Day in Bali, along with the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting.

Indonesia has also recently announced the development of a medical tourism model on the resort island of Bali with the establishment of an international standard hospital in the Special Health Zone (SEZ). Indonesia is continuously raising its target for attracting international tourists in 2023, from 7.4 million (January 2023) to 8.5 million (April 2023). To ensure the security, safety, and trust of international tourists, Indonesia has signed the International Code of Conduct for the Protection of Tourists, developed by the UNWTO, as an effort to protect tourists at destinations. Adherence to this Code is Indonesia's shared commitment to ensuring the security and safety of tourists, while also preserving the integrity of local customs and cultural traditions.

Last week, the Indonesian government announced plans to renovate the Borobudur Buddhist complex in Yogyakarta, Central Java, considered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be one of the world's greatest Buddhist sites, built during the 8th-9th centuries under the Syailendra dynasty. Borobudur is one of Indonesia's most popular tourist destinations and a center for Buddhist tourism, so the government is planning to improve infrastructure and transportation to Borobudur, focusing on developing a network of roads, toll roads, and railways to facilitate travel from Yogyakarta International Airport to the site. In addition, the Indonesian government will also develop supporting areas around Borobudur such as tourist villages and community cultural centers, and expects to create 4.4 million new jobs by 2024.

Indonesia has invited global tourism marketers to expand their networks in Indonesia, expressing hope that collaborative activities will help improve the quality of the tourism industry, thereby boosting economic recovery, creating jobs, and generating business opportunities. This collaboration will take the form of knowledge sharing between experts or destination managers on promoting sustainable tourism and addressing potential challenges, as well as organizing training courses and capacity-building conferences on tourism marketing.

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