The Indonesian Association of Tourism Scholars (ICPI) has called on the government to take serious steps to improve the quality of tourism services, aiming to increase the duration of foreign tourists' stays in Indonesia. This statement was made by the association's president, Azril Azhari, during a phone call with Antara News Agency, where he stressed the importance of focusing on service quality rather than merely achieving visitor numbers.
Azril pointed out that the length of stay for tourists is directly related to the amounts of money these tourists spend during their visits, which contributes to boosting economic activity in tourist areas and increasing government revenues from this vital sector.
Event Details
In his remarks, Azril explained that there are strategies that can be implemented to increase the length of tourists' stays, especially given the challenges faced by the tourism sector due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East. He asserted that the government must reconsider its promotional strategies, noting that Indonesia ranks fourth as one of the safest countries in the world, which can be used as a tool to attract tourists.
Azril also suggested focusing on developing specialized tourism, such as health tourism and senior tourism, as a means to attract new categories of tourists and increase their length of stay.
Background & Context
The Indonesian government aims to achieve ambitious tourism goals, targeting between 16 to 17.6 million foreign tourists this year, in addition to 1.18 billion domestic tourism trips. In this context, the Minister of Tourism, Widiya Putri Wardhana, emphasized the importance of improving the quality of tourism services and enhancing connectivity between tourist areas.
The minister also highlighted the necessity of cooperation among all stakeholders in the tourism sector, including central and local governments, the private sector, and local communities, to achieve the desired goals.
Impact & Consequences
Tourism is considered a vital sector contributing to economic growth in Indonesia, providing job opportunities and supporting local communities. Therefore, improving the quality of tourism services and increasing the duration of tourists' stays can significantly contribute to enhancing the national economy.
Moreover, focusing on specialized tourism can open new horizons for tourism in Indonesia, helping to mitigate the negative impacts resulting from regional conflicts.
Regional Significance
Indonesia is a distinctive tourist destination for many Arab tourists, offering unique cultural and natural experiences. Thus, improving the quality of tourism services and increasing the duration of tourists' stays can enhance the flow of Arab tourists to Indonesia, benefiting the local economy.
In conclusion, focusing on improving the quality of tourism services represents a strategic step towards enhancing the tourism sector in Indonesia, contributing to achieving the desired economic goals and strengthening the country's position as a global tourist destination.