Indonesia’s travel and tourism development index score rose from 4.2 to 4.4. In the ranking, Indonesia is now ranked 32 out of 44. For the first time, Indonesia has surpassed Thailand and Malaysia. This increase shows that tourism development is getting better.
This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in the Investment Forum 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations held by the Ministry of Investment/BKPM in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.
“We should be grateful that Indonesia’s travel and tourism development index score rose from 4.2 to 4.4, rose to rank 32 from 44. This is the first time Indonesia is above Thailand and Malaysia. We hope to strengthen Indonesia’s position with investors investing their capital,” Luhut said, Friday. (9/9/2022).
He added that the government is focusing on bringing investment to 5 DPSP areas, starting from Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Borobudur, Lake Toba, and Likipang. So he advised the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia for the 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP) program, in terms of ease of investment.
“On this occasion, I entrust the Minister of Investment to maintain investor confidence in guarding the ease of investing while still paying attention to local wisdom and the environment. Facilitate licensing and provide investment incentives,” said Luhut.
Luhut also advised the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno to strengthen tourism promotion and organize massive events. Improving the quality of human resources and destination management must also be done massively.
According to him, BUMN and BUMD also need to fully support the development of these 5 super tourism destinations.
“The government’s focus is to make the 5 DPSPs not only round tourism destinations but also as priority investment destinations. For that we invite investors to take advantage of this momentum to invest in 5 DPSPs,” he said.
“Everyone needs to actively participate in maintaining the environment so that it remains conducive to being a regional brand ambassador.”
Furthermore, especially for Lake Toba tourism, tourist spending in the Lake Toba area is still minimal. Unlike tourist shopping in other Super Priority Tourism Destinations (DPSP) areas such as Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Borobudur to Likupang.
“The average foreign tourist expenditure is currently US$ 500 – US$ 1000 per visit to DPSP Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, Borobudur, and Likupang. Meanwhile, in Lake Toba, tourist expenditure is still relatively minimal,” said Luhut in the Investment Forum 5 DPSP, Friday (9/9/2022).
The length of stay of tourists in Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang is quite good where tourists stay for 3-5 days. As for the Borobudur and Lake Toba areas, it is only 1-2 days.
So it is necessary to optimize the development of the tourism sector, especially in terms of accessibility, amenities, and attractions without relying on the APBN and APBD but domestic and foreign investment.
“So far, the realization of investment in tourism and the creative economy has reached Rp 5.31 trillion in 2020 to Q1-2022,” he said.
Luhut added that the tourism sector is believed to be able to help the national economic recovery, especially by organizing international events. Which provides a large multiplier effect for the local economy.
