TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Minister Erick Thohir hoped that more Indonesian people are interested in traveling domestically instead of abroad. Erick made the statement during the opening of the 2022 Garuda Travel Fair.

"It's okay to travel to foreign countries. It's not prohibited. But if you have more fortune, for example, traveling abroad once and traveling in Indonesia twice," said Erick during his speech at the opening of the 2022 Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair in Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD, Tangerang on Friday, October 28, 2022.

Other than its beautiful destinations, Erick argued that vacationing in Indonesia is better amid the lingering COVID-19 pandemic because there are various natural tourist attractions. Erick also expected that the country's huge population can benefit the national tourism sector.

Erick said that Indonesia would not succeed in developing its tourism without the commitment from various parties, such as Garuda Indonesia airline, travel agents, and the public.

"We always spend our money abroad even though at the time of COVID-19, we stand alone and no one helps us," Erick stated.

Erick then asked all stakeholders of the tourism industry in Indonesia to work together to drive national economic growth. Moreover, Erick added that now as COVID-19 gradually subsides, Indonesia must become more independent because many people in smaller regions are still recovering.

"Bali has not fully recovered yet. Let's revive national tourism," said Erick Thohir.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

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