TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism Wishnutama clarifies that the Rp72 billion budget the ministry proposes for its tourism promotion package is not solely to hire foreign influencers.

“Actually, Rp72 million will fund a number of overseas tourism promotion activities. It is not just to solely hire influencers,” Wishnutama said to Tempo on Wednesday, February 26.

He elaborates that hiring influencers or online personas is one of many strategies ready to be applied by the Tourism Ministry.

Wishnutama also says foreign influencers that would be involved in the ministry’s program are influencers from countries that are considered by the government to be the target market of Indonesia’s tourism promotion, “Due to their major influence in the market the government is eyeing on.”

The Ministry’s plan to spend trillions on a national tourism promotion program, and the hiring of foreign influencers, was previously mentioned by Coordinating Minister of Economy Airlangga Hartarto following a meeting on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on Indonesia’s economy at the presidential office on Tuesday, February 25.

Airlangga explains that the Rp72 billion budget is part of the Rp298.5 billion incentive for foreign tourists that will take the form of airfare discounts up to tourism activities.

“Rp72 billion will be for media relations and influencers,” said Airlangga at the presidential office on Tuesday.

FRISKI RIANA