Indonesia's Tourism and Creative Economy Minister, Sandiaga Uno, met with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday to discuss strategies to boost international tourist arrivals in the country. Uno highlighted the need to increase the number of flights, enhance airport capacity, and ease visa-on-arrival (VoA) requirements as crucial measures to attract more tourists.

"We hope these measures will attract more tourists to visit Indonesia," Minister Uno said as quoted by Antaranews, emphasizing the potential positive impact on the country's tourism industry.

During the meeting, Minister Uno presented a comprehensive report on the tourism industry's development during the first six months of 2023. He specifically focused on the recovery indicator, which surpassed the growth target of 10–15 percent. The recovery was credited to the collaborative efforts between various ministries and institutions.

While the recovery of the tourism sector in the first half of 2023 was encouraging, the government remains committed to furthering its efforts to achieve the ambitious target of welcoming 8.5 million foreign tourists by the end of the year. This target was revised upward from the initial 7.4 million due to the robust recovery of Asian-Pacific countries, particularly China and Australia, in the first quarter of 2023. These two nations are among the primary markets for Indonesia's tourism sector.

Minister Uno expressed optimism about meeting the job creation targets in the tourism sector, aiming to generate 2.6 million jobs in 2023 and 4.4 million jobs in 2024. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Indonesia's employment, and the government is keen on capitalizing on its growth potential.

Furthermore, the creative economy has also shown promising growth, with the export value exceeding expectations. The target of achieving an export value of US$27 billion in the first semester was surpassed, highlighting the sector's resilience and potential for further expansion.

In light of the ongoing recovery and positive developments in the tourism and creative economy sectors, the government is taking proactive steps to create a conducive environment for international visitors. By increasing the number of flights, improving airport facilities, and easing visa requirements, Indonesia seeks to position itself as an attractive and welcoming destination for travelers worldwide.

The government's commitment to fostering growth in the tourism sector aligns with its broader economic and development goals. With the concerted efforts of various ministries and stakeholders, Indonesia aims to strengthen its position as a top tourism destination in the region and contribute significantly to the country's overall economic growth and job creation.