Indonesia switches focus due to US, Europe economic woes

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, said: “We are fully aware of the economic slowdown in Europe and the US, and the potential drop in arrivals from (those) markets plus Japan (next year).”

“However, there are markets around here whose economy is viable, such as ASEAN, several Asian countries like China, Taiwan, India and South Korea, and Australia, Russia and the Middle East. These will be our focus.”

Based on the 6.27 million arrivals recorded from January to October, the global crises had minimal impact on Indonesia’s inbound tourism, which looks on course to reach its target of 7.7 million arrivals for the year.

Pangestu was also optimistic that Indonesia would hit its target of eight million arrivals next year. “This is not the first time we are facing (a global economic crisis). In 2009, we managed to achieve positive growth even if it was only 0.3 per cent,” she said. Source: TTG Asia