DPR Urges East Java to Strengthen Transport Connectivity for Quality Tourism

Several connectivity issues remain an important concern in East Java. A number of regions with tourist destinations and major events require better connectivity.

The House of Representatives (DPR RI) is urging the East Java Provincial Government to strengthen transport connectivity and improve supporting amenities in order to develop a tourism sector oriented towards the quality of tourist visits.

Deputy Chair of Commission VII of the House of Representatives, Chusnunia Chalim, stated that connectivity remains one of the issues that needs attention, particularly for regions hosting tourist destinations as well as national and international-scale events.

“Several connectivity issues remain an important concern 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 staging of the Jember Fashion Carnaval, which will take place in the near future, as requiring adequate transport access to facilitate the mobility of tourists and event participants.

Moreover, she said, the development of the tourism sector is no longer focused solely on increasing the number of visits, but also on the quality of visits and the economic impact generated for local communities.

“How do we encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more money while in tourist destinations? Because what we are talking about now is quality tourism, not merely quantity tourism,” she said.

According to her, increasing the length of tourists’ stays will provide greater economic benefits for local businesses, from the hospitality and culinary sectors to transport and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“We encourage tourists to stay for at least three days, for example arriving at the weekend and staying from Friday to Sunday. That way, it is not only the number of visits that increases, but the quality of visits and the economic impact will genuinely be felt by local communities,” she said.