Deputy for Economic Affairs, Cabinet Support Secretariat, Ministry of State Secretariat, holds FGD on the theme “Strategies for Increasing International Tourist Number and Foreign Exchange at Priority Tourism Destinations,” Friday (05/23)
Indonesia has great potential in tourism that is capable of not only boosting national economic growth but also opening job opportunities. In addition, tourism is expected to generate economic growth by increasing foreign exchange. Therefore, tourism is one of the sectors that President Prabowo gives special attention to.
In an effort to increase tourism’s contribution to the state’s foreign exchange in 2025, it is essential to build synergy between the Government, business actors, community, and other stakeholders, in order to create an inclusive, competitive, and sustainable tourism ecosystem. Not only can the cooperation of all elements restore the tourism sector, but it can also strengthen the sector’s position as a major contributor to Indonesia’s economic growth.
However, from international tourists’ point of view, Indonesia’s tourism sector still faces a big challenge. Although the number of international tourists visiting Indonesia has improved in 2024, reaching 13.9 million, it is still below the number ever recorded before the pandemic hit that reached 16.1 million. For that reason, Deputy for Economic Affairs, Cabinet Support Secretariat, Ministry of State Secretariat, held Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the theme “Strategies for Increasing International Tourist Number and Foreign Exchange at Priority Tourism Destinations,” Friday (05/23).
The key speakers participating in the FGD were Dr. Diaz Pranita, M.M., Lecturer on Tourism Business Management, Vocational Education Program, University of Indonesia; Budi Tirtawisata, Deputy Head of Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI); and Yanuarto Bramuda, S.Sos., MBA., MM., Asistant to the Regional Secretary for Governance and People’s Welfare, Banyuwangi regency.
Also participating in the FGD were representatives from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Creative Economy.
The discussion was held openly and constructively covering subjects such as: the current trends of international tourist visits at global and domestic levels; issues and challenges of tourism industry in the effort to increase international tourist number and tourism’s foreign exchange, especially at prioritiy tourism destinations; as well as strategies for increasing international tourist number and foreign exchange at prioritiy tourism destinations. In addition, the key speaker from Banyuwangi regency shared the regency’s experience and success story in tourism sector which have recorded a significant increase in the number of visiting tourists since 2014.
The FGD concluded that in order to increase international tourist number and foreign exchange, it is important to launch a good-quality tourism promotion to attract more international tourists to choose Indonesia as a tourist destination. It is also essential to build synergy between the Government, business actors, academics, communities, and media in preparing a long-term plan and to involve investors and philanthropists who promote the principles of sustainability. The Regional Government of Banyuwangi regency has implementing such practices by branding Banyuwangi regency as “the Sunrise of Java”, promoting eco tourism, and setting three priority tourism destinations called “Diamond Triangle.” (AW/TM)
