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Environment and Forestry Ministry eyes 1.5 million foreign tourists
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Mount Bromo as seen from Penanjakan Satu in Probolinggo, East Java. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park serves as one of Indonesia's most popular ecotourism destinations. (Antara/Zabur Karuru)
T
he Environment and Forestry Ministry has set a target of attracting 1.5 million foreign tourists in 2017, or 10 percent of the Tourism Ministry’s overall target of 15 million foreign tourists, by promoting the country's national parks.
“We contribute to the tourism sector through ecotourism in conservation areas. This year our target is to attract 1.5 million foreign tourists,” said the Environment and Forestry Ministry’s environment and conservation director Ismugiono.
Read also: Sumba’s MaTaLaWa National Park lures visitors with ecological attractions
Ismugiono said ecotourism was one of the nation’s leading tourism sectors.
Indonesia offers world-class ecotourism destinations, such as Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java; Komodo National Park in East and West Nusa Tenggara; Ijen Crater National Park in Banyuwangi, East Java; and Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan.
“Out of the 10 priority destinations set by the government, the ministry is focusing on the development of four tourist destinations, which are Bromo-Tengger, Wakatobi, Komodo and Thousand Islands,” added Ismugiono.
Read also: Tips for visiting Komodo National Park
The Tourism Ministry’s head of the ecotourism development acceleration team, David Mekes, said that ecotourism comprised 35 percent of Indonesia's tourism market.
Both ministries are currently developing the East Java and Bali areas, which include Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Ijen Crater National Park and West Bali National Park. (kes)
