Banten province’s tourism sector continues to grow, with the number of tourist visits to the westernmost province on Indonesia’s Java Island reaching 61 million in 2022.

Pandeglang, Banten (Indonesia Window) – Banten province's tourism sector continues to grow, with the number of tourist visits to the westernmost province on Java Island reaching 61 million in 2022.

The Head of Banten’s Tourism Office, Al Hamidi, made the remarks when giving a speech before opening a Tanjung Lesung National Seminar on Tourism under the theme 'Accelerating the Development of the Tanjung Lesung Tourism Special Economic Zone', in Tanjung Lesung, Pandeglang district, on Saturday.

The national seminar is also part of the eight-year celebration of Sudut Pandang, an online mass media.

"The district/city administration in Banten province has set 2022 as the year of tourism revival," he said, adding that the development of this sector would boost the local economy, especially as Indonesia enters the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

The development activities are also in line with the national movement to support MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) called 'Proud of Made in Indonesia', and Banten's tagline, 'Let's Get Shopping and Exploring Banten!'

Al Hamidi noted that the number of 61 million tourist visits was up from 19 million in the pre-pandemic period, and exceeded the target set by the province of 21 million visits.

"As of December 31, 2023 we expect tourist visits to Banten to be 71 million," Al Hamidi said.

This target is achievable, because for three months, he said, from February 10 to May 15/16 this year, the number of tourist visits to Banten has reached 38 million, with direct income recorded at 250 billion rupiahs.

Al Hamidi continued, it is expected that the development of Banten's tourism sector could be accelerated with at least 1,080 tourist attraction points that are worth visiting by tourists, both from within and outside the country.

"From that number, around 800 new points have been organized. In 2022 we have succeeded in managing 98 points, and in 2023 58 points have been organized," he explained, adding that these tourist objects include religious tourism objects, tourist villages, beaches, agro-tourism, and others.

Al Hamidi hoped that the national seminar organized by Sudut Pandang could disseminate information about Banten province’s tourism sector to people, and generate inputs for the provincial administration in an effort to develop the tourism sector.

*1 USD = 15,323 rupiahs

Reporting by Indonesia Window