Many people asked for a reduced ticket fare
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno has considered coordinating with relevant ministries and institutions to reduce public transportation fares for the year-end holidays in a bid to achieve the domestic tourist movement target.

"Many people asked for a reduced ticket fare. This is a challenge for us to find the solution before the end of the year," he stated when met at his office on Friday.

According to Uno, the number of foreign tourist visits had exceeded the target, with 7.4 million visits recorded.

Cumulatively, the total number of foreign tourist visits from January to August 2023 had reached 7,443,260. This figure increased 1.02 percent as compared to July 2023 (month on month), and up 68.92 percent in comparison with August 2022 (year on year), he elaborated.

"The 7.4 million visits were actually the target for the whole year. However, it has been revised to 8.5 million. As per this month, we have informed the tourism industry regarding the possibility of another one million tourist visits until the end of the year. This is an increase of 20 percent from the most optimistic target," Uno remarked.

However, he noted that the movement of domestic tourists until June 2023 was still below 500 million, from the one-billion target movements set by his side.

"We need to disseminate information and attract more domestic tourists. We must also ensure that the calculation method is correct to bring an impact on society, especially for job creation. We want quality tourism, such as longer staying, to bring impact on the local economy and empower the local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," he remarked.

Based on the latest data in June 2023, the movement of domestic tourists was still dominated by travelers from Java Island comprising 26.9 percent East Java tourists, 17 percent West Java tourists, 14 percent Central Java tourists, seven percent Jakarta tourists, and 4.8 percent Banten tourists.

Uno said his side will continue to coordinate with local governments to be more active in promoting and creating activities that drive Indonesian tourism, including by pursuing collaboration with partners, influencers, industry players, media, and travel agents.

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Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Sri Haryati
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