Minister Sandiaga Uno looked a little tired but excited after his 18-hour trip from Abu Dhabi to Jakarta, where he attended the AVPN conference on One Asia, One Future. Fresh off the plane, he took the time to do this interview with eTurboNews publisher Juergen Steinmetz.
Transcript of the Interview with eTurboNews
Yes, indeed. Thank you for having me on the Breaking News show.
We completed serious, strategic bilateral meetings and participated in panel discussions. I also delivered some remarks at the AVPN Global Conference in Abu Dhabi and was involved in its preparations.
I will be back in the UAE next month for the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
My Abu Dhabi visit was of significant importance. And I think the concept of one Asia, one future is important.
As we navigate very tough geopolitical situations and rising tensions in various parts of the world, we believe that we need to sit closer to the common platform of understanding and think about what we have in common. This is particularly true in the cultural, political, social, and historical contexts.
We must also abide by our sustainable development goals and speak within one common platform for collaborations on investment opportunities and technology advancement.
Indonesia is updating its investment schemes, which could be achieved as we transition into the new government and provide a new initiative—the Indonesia Quality Tourism Fund.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo ordered his Cabinet to set up a tourism fund to finance quality and sustainable tourism development.
We are complementing what we already have on nature, culture, and adventure to achieve more quality and sustainable tourism within the Sustainable Development Goals.
I’m excited to return to Jakarta after a successful trip to Abu Dhabi.
Eighty-four countries attended the conference, so it was indeed a global conference.
Since we were talking about the transformations we’re facing, which are green transformations, a lot of the discussions focussed on how the current situations could be used as a platform to accelerate the transformation into a green economy of the future.
Being sustainable is excellent, but promoting tourism can sometimes be seem as a conflict.
How do you combine the need to generate income through tourism with your green policies?
What you mentioned is very, very spot on. Our participation in this conference also highlighted Indonesia’s tourism and creative economy sectors.
We are introducing five super-priority destinations to help diversify.
Bali is the most favorite destination. But we are also seeing how Bali can recover with the other destinations in a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach.
So when we discuss with potential investors and engage in discussions with target markets, we’re not just focusing on the numbers, not just on the quantities, but more on the qualities.
How could we create a much better experience? How could we develop activities that help decarbonize the sectors? How could we introduce carbon offsetting by planting?
Bali, in particular, has taken a huge step. At this conference, we signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to create the Center for Mangrove Research in Bali.
This is to introduce the new tourism of Indonesia, which is not just sun and sand but more serenity, spirituality, and sustainability.
Indonesia is emerging from a developing to an advanced economy.
So, we need to highlight this knowledge based on a green-blue circular economy, which is inclusive.
You mentioned small and medium enterprises.
We work with microowners to help them enter digital, inclusive, and sustainable economies because, in the end, it’s about how you create prosperity.
We need to create good quality jobs and green jobs.
Such jobs should focus on ensuring that cultural heritage and local wisdom are within the cast so that micro, small, and medium enterprises will continue to be involved in this trajectory moving forward.
And that’s an important aspect for us recovering from post-pandemic issues.
What about Holistic and Medical Tourism in Indonesia?
The average International tourist spent $1000.00 when visiting Indonesia before COVID-19. We’re now at about $1500 to $1700, so it is a whopping 50% to 70% increase.
So I would say the new tourism products of health tourism, holistic tourism, spiritual tourism, wellness, have taken a lot of, interest. Ecotourism and recently introduced sports tourism are in the same league.
We established tourism villages across Bali specifically including many parts of the Islands of the Gods. Tourism villages are not just in the southern part of Bali but also in the northern, western, and eastern parts of the province, which has seen less development.
So, our approach is not only to attract gigantic, 1,000-room resorts but rather small boutique properties centered around cultural heritage and spiritual settings.
Our Tourism Village concept is closer to nature. It provides exciting adventures for new international arrivals.
