ICPI suggests government focus on extending duration of tourist visits

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Tourism Scholars Association (ICPI) suggests that the government focus on efforts to improve tourism service quality that can extend the duration of visits by international tourists in Indonesia. ICPI General Chairman Azril Azhari, when contacted by ANTARA from Jakarta on Tuesday, stated that the government should not only concentrate on achieving tourist visit targets but also on increasing the length of tourists’ stays. The duration of visits relates to the amount of money spent by tourists while visiting attractions, which contributes to local economic activity as well as government revenue from the tourism sector. According to Azril, strategies to increase the duration of tourist visits can be implemented to counter the impact of escalating conflicts in the Middle East on efforts to meet international tourist visit targets. “This can be achieved if the government changes its strategy. For example, it can promote to international tourists that Indonesia is the fourth safest country in the world or focus on developing special interest tourism such as health tourism and senior tourism,” he explained. To achieve these targets, the government is working to enhance tourism service quality, improve connectivity, and strengthen targeted market-based tourism promotion. The Tourism Minister stressed the importance of collaboration from stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem, including central and regional governments, businesses, communities, and the public, in efforts to meet tourist visit targets. “With strong collaboration and shared commitment, Indonesian tourism is expected to continue growing sustainably, providing broader benefits and becoming a driver of public welfare across the nation,” he said.