Gov't Woos Middle Eastern Investors to Develop Tourism Sector  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Tourism Ministry announced a plan to attract Middle Eastern companies investing in the Indonesian tourism sector. The total investment needed to develop ten tourist destinations is Rp 200 trillion (US$15.3 billion).

"There are ten tourist destinations to be developed to match Bali," Tourism Ministry's investment division head Hengky Manurung said in a seminar held in Malang on Thursday, December 8, 2016.

Among the destinations are Bromo, Tengger Semeru, Toba Lake, and Mandalika. Hengky revealed that several business owners from Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in investing in Mandalika development. Hengky added that the tourist destinations would be managed by special authorities. 

In addition to investment, Hengky said, the development plan included a target to attract 27 million Middle Eastern tourists to enjoy Indonesian halal tourism. In relation to the target, the government will facilitate Middle Eastern tourists with Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Over the last nine month, Indonesia booked a total investment of US$1 billion in the tourism sector, of which 54 percent of the figure were invested in Jakarta, and 22 percent in Bali. The rest of the investments were allocated to other regions.

"Sixty five percent of the money was invested in hotels," Hengky added.

The tourism sector has created 9.8 million jobs, increasing by 30 percent over the last five years. The sector contributed 10 percent of GNP and 9.8 percent of foreign exchange.

EKO WIDIANTO