"We had visa-free entry for 159 countries plus 10 ASEAN countries. This will be evaluated due to the reciprocity, usefulness, and security," Uno noted after attending a limited meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday.
According to the minister, the government will conduct an evaluation for the next month to develop quality and sustainable growth of Indonesian tourism.
The minister believes there are numerous opportunities for the Indonesian tourism sector to grow in a quality and sustainable manner.
In addition, the government is keen to ensure that foreign tourists visiting Indonesia bring an impact on the economy, such as by opening up businesses and employment opportunities, he remarked.
"We want the economy to grow and also an increase in the number of jobs in the tourism sector and the creative economy," he noted.
Related news: Revocation of visa-free entry is temporary: Tourism Ministry
In future, Uno stated that the government is targeting a visit duration of more than seven days and US$1,000 spending per tourist.
Regarding the Golden Visa policy, the minister remarked that currently, the policy is still in the finalization stage.
"The government regulations regarding Golden Visa will be finalized soon after obtaining approval from the president," he revealed.
Earlier, the government had temporarily suspended visa-free entry for 159 countries through Decree of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Number M.HH-01.GR.01.07 of 2023. According to information on the official website of the Directorate General of Immigration, the implementation of visa-free entry has impacts on the state.
The impacts include disturbance of public order and the spread of diseases from countries that have not been declared clean or free of certain diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta S
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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