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THE INDONESIA’S Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, held a meeting with the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, H.E. Esam A. Abid Althagafi, at the Sapta Pesona Building, Ministry of Tourism Office, Tuesday (11/2). During the meeting, the two discussed the potential for cooperation in tourism and the creative economy. Among them are tourist visa policies including visas for hajj and umrah, investment opportunities and promotions in the tourism and creative economy spheres.
“Indonesian tourism promotion materials for Saudi Arabia will also use Arabic. The Indonesian side also asked Saudi Arabia to support the implementation of the G20 which will be held in 2022. In addition to the big event, it is hoped that there will be cooperation between the two countries in organizing various types of events, such as equestrian, archery, and swimming,” he said.
He added, in addition to the exchange of information about the development of vaccination and health issues between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. We hope that this cooperation will strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors.
“Hopefully we can work together and collaborate with each other in developing tourism and the creative economy in both countries. And can help promote and present quality and sustainable tourism,” Sandiaga stated.
Saudi Arabia, he continued, is one of the countries in the Middle East that contributes the largest tourism to Indonesia, from quantity to spending money. It was noted, before the COVID-19 pandemic, spending per arrival of Saudi Arabian tourists to Indonesia in 2019 was US$1,592, with an average length of stay of 13 days or almost two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, H.E. Esam A. Abid Althagafi, also invited Indonesian tourists to visit Saudi Arabia. Because Saudi Arabia is not only about Hajj and Umrah or oil and gas, but also has a strong culture, so it can be explored more deeply by Indonesian tourists.
“Saudi Arabia is a very nice place to visit. Therefore, through this meeting, hopefully we can increase tourism both in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia,” he concluded. [traveltext.id]
