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fter three years of deliberations, Indonesia’s long-awaited tourism board is finally in operation this year, armed with Rp 23 billion (US$2.55 million) in starting capital from the central government.

As mandated by the 2009 Tourism Law, the government was tasked with facilitating the creation of a functioning private tourism promotion entity run by business players, professionals and experts in the tourism industry.

In the past, the creation of the board was marred by disputes between various tourism associations as each struggled for domination.

“We set up the board not only because it is mandatory under the 2009’s Tourism Law, but also because we want tourism and creative industries to be better managed to boost our economy,” Mari Elka Pangestu told The Jakarta Post.

In support of the new body, she said, the government allocated Rp 23 billion for all programs run by the board this year.

Tourism Board chairwoman Yanti Sukamdani, the former chairwoman of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Associations (PHRI), said the firm was in the process of formulating its promotional programs.

“We think that the three things that we have to work on are how to attract more tourists during the low season, promote green tourism and boost creative tourism,” Yanti said, while adding that the board’s programs would incorporate deep and integrated cooperation with all tourism associations and regional governments.

In a separate interview, Asnawi Bahar, the chairman of Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agents (ASITA), said that the association was willing to collaborate with the board and the ministry to better manage promotions.

“In the tourism sector, competition is getting more intense, especially with neighboring countries. The board should work hard and make sure their programs are implemented effectively,” Asnawi told the Post.

As an experienced player in the sector, he said that the board and the government should immediately create new destinations because tourists are getting bored with older destinations, especially Bali.

According to ASITA research, neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and other Asian countries would love to explore Aceh, South Sulawesi and Central Java.

He said that the government, through its Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesian Economic Growth (MP3EI), should accelerate infrastructure developments to access those places or Indonesia would soon lag behind other countries.

In total, 7.65 million foreign tourists came to Indonesia throughout 2011, which was up by 9.24 percent from 2010.

Foreign exchange income from the tourism industry was estimated to total $8.6 billion in 2011, 13.16 percent higher than in 2010. (nfo)