Jokowi asks state-run tourism holding to be agile, professional

Jakarta (ANTARA) – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked the newly-launched tourism and supporting sectors state-owned holding to be agile and professional in running its business to make its governance more efficient and simple. “Do not let new complications arise or transform old problems into new ones,” he advised while launching InJourney, the state-owned tourism and supporting sectors holding, at Kuta Mandalika Beach, Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, on Thursday.
The key to advancement is improving management and governance to optimize Indonesia’s huge tourism potential, he said. “Earlier, as stated by the State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister, the potential of domestic tourists could reach 330 million trips. Do not let the huge potential slip away,” he emphasized. Meanwhile, the potential of foreign travelers is only 17 million trips, he pointed out. However, international travelers are also important actors for Indonesia’s tourism, he noted. In 2022, Indonesia has the potential to increase the number of visits since it is set to host various international events, including the Mandalika MotoGP in March 2022 and the G20 Summit in November 2022, he said.
The events will attract the attention of the international community to Indonesia, he added.
Hence, the momentum must be utilized as well as possible, especially by the tourism sector — for instance, by preparing ten super-priority tourism destinations in Indonesia, the President said.
Furthermore, President Jokowi asked the holding to develop the tourism sector for the benefit of the local community, including local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). “The holding must expand business and improve governance. In addition, it has to involve the surrounding community and establish a cross-sectoral ecosystem, which involves SOEs, the private sector, as well as local communities and MSMEs soon,” he stressed.
In addition, it is important for the holding to provide space and opportunity for the community to participate in improving the tourism sector in the region and advancing Indonesia, he said.