Bandung Generates State Income of Rp100bn during AAC

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil estimated that the 60th Asian African Conference (AAC) in Bandung would generate state income of Rp100 billion, based on the info he received from the Tourism Ministry.

“The income comes from the arrival of guests and journalists,” Ridwan told Tempo on Tuesday, meaning that the AAC gives positive economic impact.

Every year, Ridwan said, Bandung is visited by six million tourists and every tourist spends around Rp800,000 to one million. Thus, according to Bandung City Government’s data, the turnover from tourists in Bandung is 5 to 6 trillion of Rupiah.

Previously, Culture and Tourism Agency chief Herlan J. S. said Bandung would be visited by 5,000 domestic and foreign tourists during the 60th AAC. This number will cause heavy traffic in Banding in the weekend.

“We have informed about the AAC to cities in Indonesia and abroad,” said Herlan. Several places that become destinations for tourists during the AAC include Bali, Malaysia and Thailand.

Herlan said the number did not include 500 delegations of AAC and 1,300 domestic and foreign journalists. “I hope this becomes an opportunity for Bandung as destination for tourists,” he said.

Herlan added that in 2014, Bandung was visited by 5.9 million tourists. The number of tourists increases five percent every year. Herlan believed that the number will increase by 15 percent next year after Bandung added some public space for the AAC.

PERSIANA GALIH