Tourism
From The Report: Indonesia 2015
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Since the 1930s, the unique cultural and picturesque landscape of Indonesia’s island of Bali has lured millions of visitors. But even as Bali has boomed, the delights from the rest of Indonesia’s archipelago of more than 17,000 Islands have often been overlooked. The new government of President Joko Widodo has vowed to change that. With a goal of attracting 20m visitors by 2020, it is urging tourists to travel beyond Bali and experience the country’s myriad cultures and cuisines, as well as the stunning natural beauty of its more than 54,000 km of beach and coast. While tourism is currently the fourth-largest source of foreign exchange after oil and gas, coal, and palm oil, some industry leaders predict that it could take the lead by 2018 if the government’s initiatives pay off.

This chapter contains an interview with Budi Tirtawisata, CEO, Panorama Group.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Niche areas and a rich cultural heritage provide momentum for Indonesia’s tourism sector
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Since the 1930s, the unique culture and picturesque landscape of Indonesia’s island of Bali has lured millions of visitors, from artists who found inspiration from the rice terraces and religious ceremonies in the cultural capital of Ubud, to those lured by the nightlife of Kuta and Seminyak. But even as Bali has boomed, the delights from the rest of Indonesia’s archipelago of more than 17,000 islands have often been overlooked. The new government of President Joko Widodo has vowed to change…

Interview

Budi Tirtawisata, CEO, Panorama Group: Interview
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Interview:Budi Tirtawisata What more can be done to position Indonesia as the leading touristic destination in the region? Is enough being done in the public sphere? BUDI TIRTAWISATA: Indonesia’s tourism sector has had better momentum since 2008. We have faced turbulent times in the last 15 years, but fortunately we are moving on the right track. Indonesia is in a new era for tourism, and the number of local and international tourists from and to the country keeps growing. Globally, the…

Analysis

Marine segment offers great potential as Indonesia targets better accessibility
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With more than 17,000 islands spanning 54,716 km of coastline and some of the world’s most enchanting diving spots, Indonesia has major potential in the marine tourism segment. And while it is the world’s largest archipelagic country, the marine tourism sector has remained relatively undeveloped. Out of the Wilderness Although there are a number of boutique sailing cruises operating out of Bali towards the east and surfers who travel thousands of kilometres to catch a wave at some of the remote…

Analysis

Indonesia’s tourism sector to benefit from increased purchasing power of the middle class
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While Indonesia has long had a small and extremely wealthy elite, the steady economic growth and political stability that followed the departure of President Suharto and the Asian Financial Crisis in 1998 has lifted millions of people out of poverty and created a new middle class. The number of Indonesians in this category rose by 40% between 2003 and 2010, according to former minister of finance, Muhamad Chatib Basri. By some estimates the middle class, defined as having an annual income of at…