Jakarta. Indonesia's tourism industry has surged over the past decade, surpassing nations like Belgium, Turkey, and New Zealand, according to Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno.

Under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's 10-year leadership, significant infrastructure improvements and a resilient workforce have driven this success, creating millions of jobs and boosting foreign exchange earnings.

Sandiaga emphasized the sector’s transformative economic impact and the importance of sustaining growth through quality, culturally-rooted, and sustainable tourism.

“In the last 10 years under President Jokowi’s administration, we’ve witnessed significant progress in Indonesia’s tourism. Infrastructure development, such as ports and roads leading to tourist destinations, has advanced massively," Sandiaga told Beritasatu.com on Tuesday.

"According to the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), Indonesia, which was once outside the top 50 in global tourism, has now proudly risen to 22nd place. We have surpassed countries known for their strong tourism sectors, including Belgium, Turkey, and New Zealand. In ASEAN, we now rank second, surpassing neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines,” he added.

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Beyond rankings, Indonesia’s tourism sector has also significantly impacted the economy. Sandiaga noted that while the number of international visitors hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, foreign exchange earnings from tourism have improved due to longer stays and higher spending in local economies.

“We are currently hosting 13-14 million international tourists annually, compared to 16-17 million before the pandemic. However, in terms of foreign exchange, we’ve exceeded previous figures, thanks to tourists staying longer and spending more locally. This has had a positive impact on job creation, with 25 million jobs generated in the tourism sector,” Sandiaga said.

Having served as Tourism Minister for the past four years, Sandiaga attributed these achievements to rapid infrastructure development and a resilient workforce. He expressed optimism that Indonesia's economy could grow by 6-7 percent, with a goal of reaching 8 percent by the end of President-elect Prabowo Subianto’s administration, provided inflation remains controlled at 2-3 percent.

Key infrastructure projects have bolstered tourism, particularly at the five super-priority destinations. In Lake Toba, for instance, new infrastructure, including bridges, airport access, highways, and luxury hotels, has been developed. Sandiaga also highlighted international events such as the F1 Power Boat and Aqua Bike competitions, which attract tourists to the area.

“The massive infrastructure development at Lake Toba has transformed it into a premier destination, attracting not only local tourists but also international visitors. Besides enjoying the natural beauty, tourists now experience Batak culture through the local tourism villages. There was initial skepticism about the region’s readiness for tourism, but after tourism and creative economy training, the workforce has impressed visitors,” Sandiaga explained.

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Similarly, the construction of the MotoGP circuit in Mandalika, Lombok, has significantly impacted local tourism and the economy. The third MotoGP event will be held there from September 27-29, 2024.

Sandiaga also underscored the role of tourism villages in enhancing the tourism ecosystem. He mentioned Borobudur, which has benefited from infrastructure upgrades and the surrounding world-class tourism villages, including Langgeran in Gunung Kidul.

Sandiaga praised the resilience of local communities, referring to them as the “winners of the pandemic,” who helped revive tourism after the challenges of 2020.

“Leaders like the village head in Penglipuran, Bali, have overseen visitor numbers grow to 3,000 daily. Stories like these inspire gratitude for Indonesia’s resilient tourism workforce, now world-class champions," Sandiaga said.

Reflecting on the challenges and achievements, Sandiaga expressed hope that Indonesia’s tourism industry would continue to thrive in the future, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and community welfare.

“My vision for tourism is for it to be of higher quality, sustainable, culturally rooted, and dignified. Our tourism should create jobs and prosperity, fulfilling the constitutional mandate to promote public welfare and educate the nation. Through our 'tourism and peace' tagline, we strive to contribute to global peace through the universal appeal of tourism,” Sandiaga concluded.