TEMPO.CO, Padang - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) offers US$2.9 billion or Rp39 trillion worth of tourism projects during the Regional Investment Forum (RIF) held in Padang, yesterday.

There are three priority tourist destinations offered as investments, namely North Sumatra's Lake Toba, Central Java's Borobudur Temple, and Bangka Belitung Islands' Tanjung Kelayang. There are also two additional destinations in West Sumatra; the Integrated Tourism Area of Mount Padang and the Maritime Tourism Area of Mandeh.

"The three destinations have projects that are ready to offer," BKPM chief Thomas Lembong said in Padang, October 16.

According to Thomas, investments in the tourism sector could grow by 35 to 40 percent; far above the national investment growth rate of 12 to 14 percent.

"The contribution to gross domestic product will be great if the sector continues to grow significantly," he said.

According to BKPM's records, tourism investment in 2014 reached US$602 million, accounting for 1.45 percent of the total national investment. As of the first half of this year, the sector has accounted for 3.67 percent of the national investment, with a value of US$929 million.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said the foreign exchange potential from the tourism sector reaches Rp260 trillion. He believes this sector can be the largest foreign exchange earner.

Meanwhile, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said his province needs more hotels to support tourism development, especially in areas outside the city of Padang.

In 2016, the number of hotels in West Sumatra was 347, comprised of 58 star hotels and 316 non-star hotels. "This is just a third of the number of hotels in West Nusa Tenggara or in Bali which are some 2,000 hotels," he said.

ANDRI EL FARUQI