"I believe that tourism in Indonesia is a strategic sector to provide income to the Indonesian economy through its contribution to the GDP," the minister noted in Jakarta on Friday.
Uno informed that in recent years, the tourism sector's contribution was capped at only four percent. However, he opined that with quality and sustainable tourism, he saw an opportunity for the tourism sector's contribution to reach seven percent in the next five to 10 years.
The tourism and creative economy sector can absorb huge amount of workforce. However, the current challenges riddling the sectors entail adapting to digital disruption. However, the challenge also offers a sound opportunity for the sectors to continue to grow and develop.
"Hence, I would like to entrust several programs, so that hopefully, the friends and fellows of State Tourism Universities (PTNP), graduates, will start thinking that the government is working with various stakeholders to conduct 3T programs, those being (Effective, Efficient, and On Time). First is increasing the capacity of human resources. Graduates should never stop learning. Graduates must continue to upskill and reskill, considering that this industry is constantly evolving," he emphasized.
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Tourism and creative economy players must thereafter revitalize tourism destinations and Indonesia's creative economy infrastructure, so they can keep up with the new era of tourism. Aspects, such as Tourism Villages, Creative Spaces, creative districts or cities, must be prepared and developed.
Moreover, boosting business resilience and competitiveness is deemed crucial. Nowadays, all businesses are experiencing difficulties, with scores of employees being laid off. Thus, the government, through the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, provides incentives and access to capital, government incentive assistance, matchmaking, and CHSE certification.
"Innovate and adapt to create products and services in the tourism and creative economy spheres. We encourage our MSME products through entrepreneurship, so that they can enter not only the national market but also the international market," the minister affirmed.
Uno deemed the current times as an era of Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity or VUCA. This has resulted in the transformation of tourism and creative economy sectors in order to rise again.
"The tourism industry sector and the creative economy must support the national economy and play a very important role, so that tourism and the creative economy are of a higher quality and are sustainable in future," he concluded. (INE)
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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