Uno went on to say that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy had devised a range of strategies for mitigating potential risks in a bid to maintain the rise of the tourism and creative economy sectors in the post-COVID-19 era.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia needs to anticipate impacts of geopolitical tensions escalating in the Middle East on tourism visits by drawing more direct flights from countries outside Europe, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno stated.

"Since (flights from) Europe are likely to be affected by tensions in the Middle East, we need to narrow down our focus on flights that do not require passage through the region," he told journalists in Jakarta on Sunday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Road to Run For Independence Day 2024 event, Uno said that increased direct flights from Australia, India, and China to Indonesia are expected to draw in more tourists to the country.

"We are preparing more direct flights from Australia, India, and China in the hopes of increasing the number of tourists since we can expect a decline in tourists visiting from Europe and America," he pointed out.

He further said that optimizing flights from countries outside the two regions serves as one of the measures for protecting the positive trend currently experienced by Indonesia's tourism and creative economy sectors from global dynamics.

Apart from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, the minister also drew attention to the flood that hit Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, which has led to the cancellation of flights from there to Indonesia.

Uno went on to say that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy had devised a range of strategies for mitigating potential risks in a bid to maintain the rise of the tourism and creative economy sectors in the post-COVID-19 era.

"Besides Mount Ruang's eruption, we are facing threats from tensions in the Middle East, and not to mention economic slowdown. The government has mapped out all these potential risks. Based on our calculation, we can still achieve our targets with hard work," he remarked.

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Translator: Martha H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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