knowledge based tourism

current situation
in 2016, the Indonesian government granted 169 countries visa-free access to Indonesia
through Presidential Regulation no.21/2016 on Exemptions of Visit Visa in an attempt to
boost the tourism industry. President Joko Widodo and his ministers also announced a
project known as the Ten New Balis. This project is a government initiative to develop new
tourist hubs across Indonesia and they hoping to replicate the success of Bali as a tourist
destination. It aims to Attract visitors to other areas to expand the Indonesian tourism
industry.

Poor infrastructure and the lack of investment to fund the infrastructure projects are the
obstacle to make this project come true. From 2015 to 2019, the funds required to meet
Indonesia’s overall infrastructure needs amount to approximately $450 to $520 billion. To
fulfill the funds, Indonesian Government has made a number of bilateral agreements with
countries such as China and Japan and sought loans from the World Bank and the Asia
Infrastructure Investment Bank. However, many of those agreements are fraught with
challenges, due to being politically, rather than commercially, driven. As a result, funds tend
to be slowly dispensed and often not fully utilised. In fact, today, most of the destinations
earmarked for the “Ten New Balis” do not have the capacity to handle big amount of
tourists. It also didn’t have easy access to accomondate the visitors.

opportunity and challenge

suggestion to improve Indonesia Tourism Industry

the lack of dequate infrastructure is a persisent problem for tourism sector in Indonesia. It
limits the smoothness for tourist to travel and blocking the growth of Indonesia’s tourism
sector. It is one of the important factors that travelers would consider prior to choosing a travel
destination. The more sufficient the infrastructure of a country, the more comfortable it is for
tourists to get around.

As we can see, the are many potential tourism attractions all over Indonesia especially in the
eastern part. But the infrastructure is inadequate where there is a shortage of airports, ports,
roads and hotels. The lack of inter and intra island connectivity means that a number of
Indonesian regions that contain huge tourist potential cannot be reached easily. Without
adequate infrastructure, foreign tourists will think twice about visiting Indonesia.

if only the government develop the infrastucture evenly all over Indonesia especially in the
potential area, it can attract the tourist and this can help the local economy to grow. The
government should ensure easy and comfortable air, sea and land accesses by adding direct
international flight routes and improving road infrastructures. In addition, there should be
sufficient public transport and medical facilities to cater a growing demand.

Indonesia known as a rich country that has many traditional and pop culture.
https://www.indonesia-investments.com/business/industries-sectors/tourism/item6051

https://www.globalindonesianvoices.com/32390/what-indonesia-can-do-to-attract-more-
global-tourists/

http://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/indonesian-tourism-industry-bright-future-
opportunities-australia/