TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tourism sector plays an important part in Indonesia’s economy. It has been placed in the fourth position under oil and gas, coal and palm oil after it contributed US$10 billion to state revenues in 2013.

Indonesian Exhibition Companies Association chairman Effi Setiabudi on Sunday said that tourism sector needs to be handled by a professional who is experienced in tourism and creative economy as tourism sector affects a wide range of people.

He continued that S.B. Wiryanti Sukamdani, chairwoman of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), is the right person to lead tourism and creative eeconomy. “In my opinion, Yanti Sukamdani is the right person to become Tourism and Creative Economy Minister because of her experiences in domestic and international tourism organizations,” he said.

I Nyoman Kandia, president of South East Asia of Tourist Guide Association (SEATGA) and also chairman of the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association (HPI), also said Yanti’s experiences as ASEAN-level tourism association chairwoman certainly make her have wide networks in Southeast Asia.

“Experiences, networks and professionalism. Yanti has them all. I think tourism needs someone like her in order to become Indonesia’s main economic strength. If she becomes Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, she will undoubtedly enhance Indonesia’s tourism,” he said.

Kandia said Yanti knows and understands how to promote the various tourist destinations in Indonesia. Her frequent travel around Indonesia and the country’s rural areas makes her an expert in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of Indonesia’s tourism.

S.B. Wiryanti is well-known in Indonesia and ASEAN tourism. Besides being known as BPPI chairwoman, the Cornell University graduate is also the chairwoman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI).

EVIETA FADJAR