Indonesian tourism stakeholders should take steps to diversify products and markets, improve connectivity, develop customer experiences, and embrace digital technology to ensure tourism development and the attainment of sustainable development goals, said Pahala Mansury, vice minister of foreign affairs in his keynote at the opening of the 10th Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2024).
Pahala said “tourism is a sector that requires constant innovation” and explained that diversification should occur in both destination and target market development.
Pahala: travel is an opportunity for people to connect with the destination on an emotional level and to focus on cultural understanding and nature
“Diversification is key to achieving greater competitiveness as well as enhancing adaptability and resilience,” he added.
While the country is developing five super-priority destinations – Lake Toba, Borobudur Temple Mandalika Labuan Bajo, and Likupang, there remain many more regions in Indonesia with tourism potential but have yet been fully explored, according to Pahala.
In terms of diversifying the customer base, he found it crucial for Indonesian tourism players to look beyond traditional top markets like Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and China; they should start tapping others like South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.
“To this end, travel fairs and promotions such as BBTF are particularly important,” he remarked.
Indonesia’s tourism progress is supported by ambitious efforts to improve connectivity. The country has developed 50 airports in the last decade, and is in the process of building the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub that will begin operations in 2025.
“The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub will be an anchor to develop tourism connectivity in Indonesia, both for domestic and international routes,” he said.
He also noted that for the majority of tourists, travel was an opportunity to connect with the destination “on an emotional level” and to focus on “cultural understanding and nature”.
“They are more sustainably inclined now. (As such), developing tourism to cater to these needs is key,” he said. A good example of such efforts is the development of Desa Wisata (tourism villages), which offer life-enriching experiences for visitors.
Attention to digital transformation is another important focus, so as to enhance customer experiences, improve operational efficiencies, and support sustainable practices.
He noted that Indonesia is focusing on the development of a digital ecosystem to support the tourism industry. The ecosystem comprises a 5G network and fibre optics, social media platforms, digital payment systems, workers familiar with technology, and more. Such initiatives call for multi-sector collaboration and “significant investment from domestic and international private sectors”.
Indonesian tourism stakeholders should take steps to diversify products and markets, improve connectivity, develop customer experiences, and embrace digital technology to ensure tourism development and the attainment of sustainable development goals, said Pahala Mansury, vice minister of foreign affairs in his keynote at the opening of the 10th Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2024).
Pahala said “tourism is a sector that requires constant innovation” and explained that diversification should occur in both destination and target market development.
“Diversification is key to achieving greater competitiveness as well as enhancing adaptability and resilience,” he added.
While the country is developing five super-priority destinations – Lake Toba, Borobudur Temple Mandalika Labuan Bajo, and Likupang, there remain many more regions in Indonesia with tourism potential but have yet been fully explored, according to Pahala.
In terms of diversifying the customer base, he found it crucial for Indonesian tourism players to look beyond traditional top markets like Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and China; they should start tapping others like South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central and South America.
“To this end, travel fairs and promotions such as BBTF are particularly important,” he remarked.
Indonesia’s tourism progress is supported by ambitious efforts to improve connectivity. The country has developed 50 airports in the last decade, and is in the process of building the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub that will begin operations in 2025.
“The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub will be an anchor to develop tourism connectivity in Indonesia, both for domestic and international routes,” he said.
He also noted that for the majority of tourists, travel was an opportunity to connect with the destination “on an emotional level” and to focus on “cultural understanding and nature”.
“They are more sustainably inclined now. (As such), developing tourism to cater to these needs is key,” he said. A good example of such efforts is the development of Desa Wisata (tourism villages), which offer life-enriching experiences for visitors.
Attention to digital transformation is another important focus, so as to enhance customer experiences, improve operational efficiencies, and support sustainable practices.
He noted that Indonesia is focusing on the development of a digital ecosystem to support the tourism industry. The ecosystem comprises a 5G network and fibre optics, social media platforms, digital payment systems, workers familiar with technology, and more. Such initiatives call for multi-sector collaboration and “significant investment from domestic and international private sectors”.