State Minister Reveals Weaknesses in Indonesia's Tourism Industry

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime Affairs Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan gave his opinion on why Indonesia’s tourism sector income is not performing to its full potential these past several years.

Luhut blamed it on the country’s own sluggish speed to improve its manpower and infrastructure.

“We must be able to correct ourselves. We are a little slow in introducing improvements,” said Luhut at his office in central Jakarta on Tuesday.

He argues that the domestic tourism industry is not prepared to accommodate the high amount of movements made by domestic and international tourists.

Infrastructure wise, he sees that Indonesia is also lacking in the infrastructure department, mainly the access to certain tourist destinations. Moreover, he said, Indonesia lacks in the amenity department, “Not handicraft ready, the culture is unpolished,” says Luhut.

Luhut said that these issues have been discussed in meetings with President Jokowi at the Bogor Presidential Palace a while back, which led to the president urging for tourism development acceleration especially in the country’s four superior tourist destinations; Toba Lake, Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, and Mandalika.

The four aforementioned tourism sites are pitched to be as popular as Bali is today.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA

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