Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Uno targets foreign tourist arrivals (tourists) in 2023 to double from this year to 3.5 million -7.4 million visits. "So if this year the target is 1.8-3.6 million, then next year we will double it," said Sandiaga in The Weekly Brief with Sandi Unodi Jakarta, as quoted from Antara, Monday (22/8). Sandiaga caught a positive signal from the prediction of the World Tourism Organization (UN World Tourism Organization / UNWTO) which stated that the tourism sector grew 70% compared to 2019. He realized that during the COVID-19 recovery period, there would be many challenges, such as increasing airline ticket prices and a volatile business environment, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. However, he believes the right policies will accelerate the recovery of the tourism industry market and the creative economy. "Our focus right now is still domestic tourists, not to foreign tourists. But I believe with a better visa policy, with more direct flight connectivity, we believe Indonesia will be able to achieve the target in 2023," he said. The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will also encourage five Super Priority Destinations (DSP), a number of annual events, MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition), and improving the quality of tourism through reskilling, newskilling, and upskilling for human resources in related sectors. "Of course, through the flagship tourism village program, Creative Regency/City (KaTa) and Indonesia Spice Up the World, God willing, will show significant progress, especially in 2023. So it looks like next year will be quite bright for tourism," he said.
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that until June 2022, foreign tourist visits to Indonesia through the main entrance reached 345.44 thousand, an increase of 1,973% compared to the same period last year and an increase of 63% compared to May 2022. In accumulation, the number of foreign tourist visits from January to June 2022 reached 743.21 thousand or 929.66% compared to the same month last year. Along with the increase in the number of foreign tourists, the occupancy of star hotel rooms in June 2022 reached 50.28%, an increase of 11.73% compared to last year.
