The government is planning to use the fund to host world-class events at five super-priority tourist destinations (DPSPs) next year.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government is currently in the process of formulating a presidential regulation concerning the establishment of the Indonesia Tourism Fund, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has confirmed.

According to Uno, the Ministry of Finance will provide the funding that will be collected in the Indonesia Tourism Fund.

"Mr. President (Joko Widodo) has conveyed directives. Currently, we are preparing the presidential regulation that will regulate the Indonesia Tourism Fund," he remarked at the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry Building, Jakarta, on Sunday.

Uno said that the government would utilize the fund to achieve the target of attracting 14 million foreign tourists to visit Indonesia in 2024.

He then highlighted the government's plan to issue free entry visas for tourists from 20 countries, saying he believes that such a measure would further boost the number of foreign tourist visits to Indonesia.

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"We also need to ensure that the Indonesia Tourism Fund will help us organize world-class events in Indonesia. Hopefully, we will still manage to achieve the target set despite having a limited budget and soon welcoming the general elections next year," he said.

Earlier on Friday (December 8), the minister noted that the Indonesia Tourism Fund was expected to allocate Rp2 trillion (around US$129 million) annually.

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He said that the government will only allocate the fund to events that will benefit the economy and create employment opportunities in the hopes of improving the people's welfare.

The government is planning to use the fund to host world-class events at five super-priority tourist destinations (DPSPs) next year.

Borobudur Temple in Central Java, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, and Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara are the five DPSPs.

The government envisions the Indonesia Tourism Fund, expected to be established in 2024, as a fund that focuses on supporting sustainable and quality tourism while spotlighting Indonesia's cultural excellence.

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Translator: Benardy F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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