D

omestic tourism is an area that contributes greatly to the economic development of a country. This rings true not only in developed but also developing nations.

The top 10 countries with significant potential for domestic tourism are the United States, China, India, Brazil, the UK, Indonesia, Poland, Germany, Canada and Japan. However, the domestic tourist industry has mostly been overlooked and underestimated, despite the fact that its contribution to state revenue outweighs that of international tourism.

In Indonesia, domestic tourism is incredible in numbers. Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry data reveals an upward trend of domestic tourists from year to year. Domestic trips in the third quarter of 2011  involved around 236 million travelers with total expenditure of Rp 171 trillion (US$17.1 billion). In 2010, there were 122 million people traveling within the country, with a total of 234 million trips, which generated around Rp 150 trillion, or twice the income generated from  international tourism.

The data also found that visiting friends and relatives (VFR) was the main purpose of domestic tourists'€™ trips. VFR accounts for 51 percent of domestic trips, followed by holiday/recreation with 27 percent.

In terms of modes of transportation, domestic tourists use cars, buses and other forms of transportation.

In Indonesia, VFR is mostly associated with mudik, or the annual exodus of millions of urban people to their hometowns during major holidays, such as Idul Fitri, Christmas and the Chinese New Year. Mudik has become part of Indonesian tradition. Men and women, old and young, rich and poor, educated and illiterate follow the tradition.

When it comes to VFR during Idul Fitri, domestic tourists spend their money on transportation, food and beverages, accommodation and charity. Last year, 56 percent went on accommodation, leisure and charity, with the remaining 44 percent on traveling expenses, including fuel for private cars and motorcycles, and train, air or ship fares. On average an individual VFR tourist spent around Rp 2 million.

As the homeward trip involves millions of people using all modes of transportation, there is a question of safety. Indeed, mudik is also notorious for transportation accidents.

Last year, 5,013 accidents occurred during the Idul Fitri exodus, killing 74 people and injuring 1,470 others. About 70 percent of the traffic accidents involved motorcyclists. The police said most of the accidents were a result of a lack of discipline and defiance of traffic rules.

Clearly, the safety of domestic tourists is a cause for concern and public service providers bear the responsibility for ensuring safe trips. The transportation sector, therefore, plays a key role in supporting, while at the same time profiting from, domestic tourism.

Solving the problems related to transportation management systems cannot be achieved by a specific authority such as the law enforcement agency or the Transportation Ministry. It is obvious that an increase in the population will create a rising demand for tourism and infrastructure as well as access to and modes of transportation.

When the number of tourists multiplies, it puts more pressure on all players to keep service standards uncompromised. During high season, such as Idul Fitri, extra work is absolutely necessary.

Previously, efforts taken by the transportation sector to deal with increased traffic included putting more officers on streets to monitor the situation, providing more information, security and health, deploying extra modes of transportation and repairing infrastructure. These efforts do not appear to have worked well as the number of accidents has continued to climb.

As most accidents have involved motorcycles and private cars, the use of mass transportation like trains and ships is recommended. Not only can mass transportation carry more people, it also supports the global campaign for energy saving and environment conservation. Consequently, improvement in transportation management is both a must and pressing.

There is also the need to increase public awareness of safe driving, apart from enforcement of the traffic laws. Schools can participate in traffic education by explaining road usage and modes of traveling to children.

VFR has created a lot of opportunities for the tourism business, especially transportation service providers. However, poor management of the system may result in a high number of disasters.

The writer is director of the professional certification department, Sahid College of Tourism, Tangerang, Banten.