Makassar: The development of tourism in Indonesia is hindered by three problems, namely problems associated with hygiene, security and infrastructure despite the vast potential the country has to offer, a minister says.

Speaking at a national working conference of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Friday, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Mari Elka Pangestu said: “Security is improving, but hygiene and infrastructure still constitute big handicaps for tourism in Indonesia.”

Mari said that at a number of tourism facilities, including airports, railway stations, seaports, bus terminals, hotels and restaurants, hygiene had not been well-maintained, thereby affecting convenience for tourists and visitors. At present, Indonesia is in 125th position out of 139 countries surveyed in terms of hygiene. “We have to rec...