"We have witnessed an increase in the value of tourism foreign exchange to US$10.46 billion, thereby translating to a contribution of 3.83 percent to the gross domestic product as of the third quarter of 2023," he noted in a press release in Jakarta on Monday (November 27).
Speaking during a working meeting with Committee III of the Regional Representative Council (DPD), Uno drew attention to the number of foreign tourist visits totaling 8.51 million.
"We have revised (the number of) foreign tourist visits twice. Initially, we set the target of attracting 7.4 million foreign tourists, but now, we have reached 8.5 million. I believe the number will hit 10 million," he remarked.
The minister also expressed optimism that next year, Indonesia would reach the world's top 30 in terms of the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI).
To further boost the tourism sector's performance in future, Uno invited Committee III of the DPD to collaborate in placing the sector as the engine that drives economic revival and creates more job opportunities in Indonesia.
"We hope that colleagues at the DPD will take part in putting efforts to reach the target of creating 4.4 million new job vacancies by 2024," he noted.
Head of the committee Hasan Basri, on his part, lauded the achievements delivered by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) as of the third quarter of this year.
"We would also like to push for the strengthening of programs and budget of the Kemenparekraf for 2024, with the hopes of realizing equitable development of tourism and creative economy regions across Indonesia," he remarked.
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Translator: Sinta A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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