Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno made the statement during a press conference at Bintang Flores Hotel, Labuan Bajo.
"The estimate of foreign exchange in the tourism and creative economy sectors generated from the visits of delegates and international media crews during the 2023 ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo is Rp15.8 billion," the minister remarked.
The tourism and creative economy minister outlined that as many as 585 foreign visitors, 45 of whom were journalists, attended the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.
The estimated figure of Rp15.8 billion was obtained from data provided by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) regarding the average spending of foreign tourists with regard to meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) as well as business visits in Labuan Bajo during the 2019-2021 period.
Based on the ministry's data, accommodations, consumption, and shopping constituted the largest share of the international tourists' spending.
"We assume that the ASEAN Summit delegates' spending equals to the average of that of tourists visiting for MICE or business purposes during the 2019-2021 period, namely around US$1,831," he noted.
On the occasion, Uno also expressed optimism that the 2023 ASEAN Summit would serve as a platform for Indonesia to promote its tourist destinations, particularly Labuan Bajo, as a worthy choice for international tourists.
The 42nd ASEAN Summit, under the chairmanship of Indonesia, will be held twice on May 9-11 and in September in Labuan Bajo and Jakarta respectively.
During this year's chairmanship, Indonesia is leading regional countries with the theme of "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth,'' which reflects the bloc's determination in becoming important and relevant as the world's growth center.
Earlier, in 2019, Labuan Bajo was designated as one of the super priority tourism destinations (DPSP) along with four others: Borobudur Temple, Magelang; Toba Lake, North Sumatra; Likupang; North Sulawesi; and Mandalika, West Nusa Tenggara.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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