ASITA Expects Visa-free Travel for South Korean, Australian, and Indian Tourists

TEMPO.CO, Batam - The Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) awaits the implementation of visa-free travel to Indonesia for people from South Korea, Australia, and India, said ASITA chairperson of the Riau Islands Regional Representative Council Eva Betty.

The association has proposed a free visa facility for South Korean, Australian, and Indian tourists.

"We are still waiting for the three countries to be included in the list of countries that can visit (Indonesia) without a visa," she said in Jakarta on Saturday, Sept. 7.

The proposal was submitted to the government following the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 59 of 2024. This regulation added Colombia, Hong Kong, and Suriname to the list of countries whose citizens can visit Indonesia without a visa.

The visa-free visit policy is considered important to increase the number of foreign tourists, especially from countries with huge potential such as South Korea, Australia and India.

So far, tourists from the three countries have shown great interest in Indonesia's destinations, but the visa process has become a barrier that reduces the number of visits.

"We have been working with related stakeholders for a long time, and they have also listened to our concerns and followed up on them for a long time," said Eva.

"We still hope that our efforts will eventually be realized and have a positive impact on tourism in Riau," she noted.

Tourism is one of the main economic drivers in the Riau Islands.

The addition of three countries to the visa-free list is expected to increase foreign tourist arrivals to Indonesia.

Antara

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