Indonesia improves WEF ranking

JAKARTA Indonesia climbs eight positions in the latest World Economic Forum’s World’s Travel & Tourism Competitive Index based on 2016 data and research.

In the previous indexes, Indonesia improved its rating from 70th place in 2014, 50th in 2015 and 42nd in 2016. The ratings measure tourism competitiveness.

In a recent press briefing Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya, credited the success to the country’s decision to elevate its tourism sector to a ‘Top Priority’ status for national  development.

The achievements monitored by WEF are proof that Indonesia has risen in the world’s confidence towards the country’s tourism, and more importantly, that Indonesians themselves now have more confidence in the tourism sector that it is capable of competing among the world’s top destinations”, he told local media.

Last year, Indonesia welcomed 12 million international tourists representing a 20% growth over 2015. This year, the country targets 15 million arrivals, requiring a 25% improvement, and is on course to welcome 20 million visits by 2019.

Minister Arief Yahya likens the growing challenges facing tourism to running a marathon race when the runner has to pace himself to go the distance.

The TTCI Index indicated that air transportation was up three points to a 36 ranking compared with 39 in 2015. Tourism services and Infrastructure improved to reach a ranking of 96 compared with 101 in 2015.

The priorities reachable by 2019 focus on improving transport connectivity, particularly in the airline sector, the development of 10 top priority destinations and the creation of thousands of homestay options.

The tourism drive will focus on Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Tanjung Kelayang (Belitung) Tanjung Lesung (Banten), Thousand Islands (Jakarta), Borobudur surroundings (Central Java), the Bromo-Tengger mountain area (East Java), Mandalika (Lombok), Labuan Bajo (Flores) and Morotai Island ( North Maluku).

Air capacity is still a challenge, noted Minister Yahya, who met with local media earlier this month.

At present, the total seat capacity on international and domestic airline routes is 19.5 million.

This is sufficient to carry 12 million inbound passengers only, he noted in his presentation. To reach the 2017 target of 15 million international tourist arrivals, Indonesia needs to urgently add 4 million seats on prime routes from major tourism generating markets such as China and India.

In the long-term to encourage more airline to serve Indonesia, the Ministry of Transportation has to accelerate construction of more airports close to tourist destinations.

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