DPR Urges East Java to Strengthen Transport Connectivity for Quality Tourism

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is urging the East Java Provincial Government to strengthen transport connectivity and improve supporting amenities to develop a tourism sector oriented towards quality visits. Deputy Chair of Commission VII DPR RI, Chusnunia Chalim, stated that connectivity remains an issue requiring attention, particularly for areas hosting tourist destinations or organising national and international-scale events. “Several connectivity issues remain important concerns in East Java. A number of regions with tourist destinations and major events require better connectivity, especially direct flights to and from areas such as Jakarta, Bali, and other regions,” she said during a recess visit to Surabaya on Friday. Chusnunia cited the upcoming Jember Fashion Carnaval as an example, noting it requires adequate transport access to facilitate the mobility of both tourists and event participants. Moreover, she stated that tourism sector development is no longer solely focused on increasing visitor numbers, but also on the quality of visits and the resulting economic impact on the community. “How do we encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money while at the destination? Because we are now talking about quality tourism, not just quantity tourism,” she said. According to her, increasing the length of tourist stays will provide greater economic benefits for local businesses, from the hospitality, culinary, and transport sectors to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). “We encourage tourists to stay for at least three days, for example arriving on the weekend and staying from Friday to Sunday. That way, not only do visitor numbers increase, but the quality of the visit and its economic impact are truly felt by the local community,” she stated.