TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama admitted he often received criticism through media about high airfares, which had not shed light to date. According to him, an affordable price of flight tickets was necessary to boost the number of domestic and foreign tourist visits.

“Many complaints issues on trash in a bus until MRT to me, while there are other parties who manage it, including on flight ticket price. In my opinion, it must be set affordable, not only for foreign tourists but also for domestic tourists,” said the minister who is usually called by his nickname Tama during a dialogue with journalists in Jakarta, Tuesday, November 5.

The former Net TV executive claimed he had met State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir and Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi to discuss various possible solutions to drop airplane tickets.

According to Tama, supports from other ministries and institutions was required to realize the public wish. This became a challenge for his ministry, he added.

“I have talked with SOE Minister and Transportation Minister. Local tourists also dream of visiting Labuan Bajo, not only foreign ones. We don’t want people saying that visiting abroad is cheaper than having a domestic tour,” he remarked.

Tama also explained his reasons for being quiet in front of the media after being inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the handover position ceremony with Arief Yahya and Triawan Munaf on October 23.

Wishnutama said that he must coordinate first with ministries and institutions in a bid to strengthen the vision and mission of the ministry as it needed massive supports.

EKO WAHYUDI