In a positive development for Indonesian tourism, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has highlighted Batam as a crucial link connecting 20 cities, including super-priority destinations in the country. Acting as an entry point for international visitors, Batam serves as the gateway before they proceed to priority destinations such as Mandalika, Bali, Yogyakarta, and 20 other tourism destinations.
Minister Sandiaga Uno expressed gratitude for Batam achieving its target of 1.5 million international visitors, successfully restoring tourist numbers to the levels of 2019. To further enhance these achievements and reach the goal of 3 million foreign visitors, the tourism sector, in collaboration with stakeholders, will implement innovations, adaptations, and collaborations framed within the concept of 3G: Gerak cepat (Swift Movement), Gerak bersama (Joint Action), and Garap potensi (Optimize Potential). Addressing the outlook for tourism in 2024 during an event at Montigo, Minister Sandiaga Uno emphasized the importance of quick and collaborative actions to leverage Batam and the Riau Islands (Kepri) as key players in achieving the target of 4.4 million jobs created. He invited tourism stakeholders to seize the momentum of the second day of 2024 to realize the set goals. Furthermore, the minister urged the improvement of the quality of events, particularly in sports tourism, as a strategy to attract visitors. Highlighting the need for new destinations, he stressed that the introduction of such attractions could extend the duration of tourists' stays from one day to two or three days.
In response to concerns about the ferry costs from Singapore to Batam, Minister Sandiaga Uno mentioned that discussions were ongoing. Additionally, there are requests for additional flights from South Korea to Batam, and President Joko Widodo is expected to release policies supporting the tourism sector. Emphasizing collaboration between tourism industry players and local governments, Sandiaga Uno envisions Batam becoming a bridge to attract tourists to 30 tourist destinations across Indonesia. The ongoing discussions about ferry costs indicate the government's commitment to addressing concerns and facilitating a conducive environment for tourism growth. In conclusion, the minister's positive outlook and strategic plans for Batam's role in Indonesian tourism highlight the government's commitment to leveraging the potential of this key gateway to promote broader tourism initiatives and economic development.
Source: https://batampos.jawapos.com/infokota/02/01/2024/batam-jadi-penghubung-20-kota-destinasi-wisata/
