TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
'Happiness' key factor to sustainability
The government and all stakeholders in the tourism industry should pay more attention to the happiness of tourists after visiting Indonesia instead of only focusing on increasing the number of visitors
Change Size
T
he government and all stakeholders in the tourism industry should pay more attention to the happiness of tourists after visiting Indonesia instead of only focusing on increasing the number of visitors.
'So far, the visitors are still regarded as a commodity, or a source of money, but we have not asked whether they are happy after visiting Indonesia,' said World Committee on Tourism Ethics member I Gede Ardika in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Hub City Forum themed 'Indonesia's Tourism Role in the Complete Visitor Economy' in Yogyakarta on Friday.
Ardika, a former culture and tourism minister, pointed out that tourist promotion in Indonesia was still concentrated on increasing tourist numbers. Such an attitude has led the industry to become exploitative causing damage to the environment and the socio-cultural life of the people of Indonesia. In the long run this could have an adverse impact on the industry.
He said in order for tourism to become a sustainable source of revenue for the country, the Indonesian people should maintain their national characteristics of friendliness, courtesy and willingness to help.
Ardika said a basic aspect of tourism was culture so Indonesians must maintain their cultural traditions. 'The question is, are we agreed on the development of tourism in Indonesia until 2050?' he asked.
Separately, Tourism and Creative Economy Deputy Minister Sapta Nirwanar said Indonesia earned US$9 billion from tourism in 2012.
'This year, we hope to earn $10 billion from the sector,' he said.
To boost income from the sector, the government will intensify promotions overseas by prioritizing China, where there is an increased ability to travel overseas given its high economic growth. 'Visitors from China are very assertive, as they stay here for shorter periods but spend a lot of money,' said Sapta.
He said that currently foreign visitors to Indonesia mostly came from Malaysia, Singapore and Australia.
'We have also developed 16 new tourist destinations, such as Komodo Island, Lake Kelimutu and Lake Toba,' he said.
