President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a limited meeting with several officials at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Monday to discuss the plan to establish the Indonesia Tourism Fund, a minister said.
Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno explained that the establishment of the fund is meant to support the organization of events to promote Indonesian tourism.
“The President conveyed directives to establish the Indonesia Tourism Fund that is envisioned as a fund focused on supporting the holding of tourism promotional events and bolstering Indonesia’s image in the eyes of the world,” he said after attending the meeting.
Uno noted that Indonesia has successfully hosted several international events that have positively affected the economy, such as the G20 Summit, the 42nd and 43rd summits of ASEAN, as well as creative economic events revolving around sports, music, art, and culture.
“For instance, the MotoGP event held in October has resulted in economic impacts of over Rp8 trillion (around US$517 million) while making West Nusa Tenggara the most significant contributor to business circulation in October,” he pointed out.
He expressed hope that the limited meeting would eventually lead to the issuance of a presidential regulation that would make the tourism fund operational in 2024.
During the meeting, Jokowi emphasized the need to properly and prudently manage the tourism fund and attract more tourists through creating quality and sustainable tourism, he added.
Uno revealed that the government is planning to task the Finance Ministry’s Education Fund Management Institution (LPDP) with managing the fund, while stakeholders in the tourism sector would be involved in the fund’s management.
He informed that the government is aiming to manage Rp2 trillion (around US$129 million) during the first year of the Indonesia Tourism Fund’s operation.
“We will mindfully pick and propose events to be supported by the Indonesia Tourism Fund,” Uno added.
Source: Antara News
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