Minister Proposes Free Visa for Muslim Countries
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Senin, 2 Juni 2014 17:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, said that sharia tourism conference that is currently being held in Jakarta until Tuesday, June 3, has provided positive impacts to Indonesia and other Muslim-majority countries' tourism climate.
"I've proposed to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to loosen visa procedures among Muslim countries or give free visa if possible,: she said on Monday. "The key is to facilitate transfer of people, which will give greater impact to sharia tourism development."
In 2012, Muslims around the world spent around US$137 billion to travel or around 12.5 percent of global spending, not including hajj and umrah pilgrimages.
According to Mari, Malaysia is still a favorite destination for tourists from the Middle East for its sharia tourism.
Mari hoped that the conference would double the number of Muslim tourists who came to visit Indonesia.
INDRI MAULIDAR
