JAKARTA Bolstered by a strong tourism industry overall last year, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy plans to focus on the business events sector this year with the aggressive development of new must-see destinations and a dedicated directorate.
“Our strategy is to continue to work on existing mature destinations, such as Bali and Jakarta, but also develop new destinations,” said Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy. “We will also be focusing on special interest tourism.” According to Pangestu, almost 7.6 million visitors touched down in Indonesia last year, making the industry the fifth largest source of foreign revenue for the country and an important player in the economy.
As a result of this two-pronged strategy, a dedicated Directorate of Special Interest Tours, Convention, Incentive and Events Development has been established, which will focus on business events tourism alongside culinary tourism, marine tourism and even spa tourism, for example.
Over the next three to five years, the ministry will also enhance 15 destinations by developing more Special Integrated Tourism Areas that will resemble the structure of Nusa Dua in Bali. The 15 destinations are: Sabang, Toba, Derawan, Toraja, Wakatobi, Bunaken, Raja Ampat, Pangandaran, Kota Tua Jakarta, Borobudur Java Promo, Batur-Bali, Rinjani, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru and Komodo-Kelimutu-Flores, all of which will capitalise on their own
