TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourist, either local or foreign, possibly have no other reasons to not travel to Indonesia since the archipelago is ranked ninth in the world for its security, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya after signing the contract or MoU with the National Police Chief Tito Karnavian in the Police Headquarters Thursday, January 10.

In a press release issued by Tourism Ministry’s Public Communication Bureau, the agreement noted several points of partnership related to the tourism sector, such as data and information exchange, security and law enforcement, and cross-institutional human resource development.

Tourists and locals flock Mount Bromo during a traditional ceremony Yadnya Kasada, Probolinggo, East Java, June 2018. ANTARA

Arief Yahya during the occasion lauded the police achievement in enhancing the safety and security in the country. “It's proven by the data on the 2018 Gallup’s Law and Order Report stating that Indonesia collects 89 scores and ranks ninth as the country with the highest level of order and law just above Denmark and below Canada. Singapore with a score of 97 is at the highest, followed by Norway, Iceland, and Finland (all 93),” the minister explained.

Further, in the report on Solo Women Traveler Index issued by a British travel website Ampersand Travel, Indonesia is placed in the fifth position (after Japan, France, Spain, US) as the safest country for solo travel for women.

Tourists are passing by Gedung Sate in Bandung on their bikes. TEMPO/Prima Mulia

Tito Karnavian in his speech, meanwhile, mentioned four sectors in the agreement namely Energy and Mineral Resources, finance, nuclear, and tourism as the leading sector in the future.

“Indonesia has huge potential in the tourism sector, especially its eco-destination and top world destination for diving,” said Tito.

West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) tourism. ANTARA FOTO/Ahmad Subaidi

He further said that the tourism sector required security assurance in which the police played its role. “I am grateful that Indonesia is the ninth safest country in the world. The National Police also has a special element called Tourism Police; I underline that Regional Police Heads are allowed to be creative based on the local wisdom of their respective regions,” Tito concluded.

SUSANDIJANI