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THE MINISTER of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia assured investors that investment in the tourism sector in Indonesia has good prospects because there is still a lot of tourism potential that has not been developed.
“I will not hesitate to convince my friends that Indonesia has many tours that we can go to besides these 5 (Super Priority Tourism Destinations), we will develop another one, in Papua, and we have beautiful nature,” he said in his remarks online at the Investment Forum: 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations which was held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.
Bahlil said the tourism sector contributed greatly to job creation in the country. In addition, the tourism sector also encourages the development of MSMEs and the regional economy. Therefore, the government is committed to encouraging the acceleration of infrastructure development in tourism destinations through investment.
“We are committed to taking accelerated, comprehensive and measurable steps in almost all ministries to make this one of our tourism destinations in the future, because not only Bali but also many areas that we must continue to promote,” he said.
In addition to having tourism potential, the Indonesian government, continued Bahlil, also continues to make improvements from various sides to support the sector.
He said Indonesia’s strong economic structure after the current COVID-19 pandemic had created political stability and security. “When we talk about tourism, we talk about security and comfort for visitors,” said Bahlil.
Similarly, the Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment/BKPM Nurul Ichwan said that Indonesia’s main attraction for investors in any sector is the size of the domestic market in the country.
Nurul explained that when COVID-19 hit in 2020, foreign tourist arrivals plummeted. However, in Indonesia, the movement of domestic tourists is still stretched.
“This is a power (strength) because investors have nothing to do with foreign or local tourists, the important thing is that my hotel is full, the important thing is that visits to tourist attractions are full. Foreigners, Indonesians, both spend money there,” he said.
This, according to Nurul, has made the tourism market optimism in Indonesia able to contribute even better to the economy.
The Ministry of Investment noted that the value of existing investment projects in 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations reached IDR172.2 billion (US$11.67 million). The value of ongoing commitments is IDR1.552 trillion (equivalent to US$106.24 million). Meanwhile, the value of investment interest in the 5 DPSPs is IDR1.186 trillion (US$81.19 million). [antaranews/photo special]
