The tourism association collaboration is expected to improve the creative economy sector in Indonesia, especially culinary, because the majority of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia are for culinary tourism.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, hopes that the tourism association collaboration between Indonesian and Malaysian would strengthen the tourism sector of the two countries.

Sandiaga had the opportunity to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesia Tours & Travel Association (ASTINDO) and the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) which took place at the Sunway Putra Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday (17/3).

The signing of an MoU was also carried out between the Association of Indonesia Recreation Parks & Attractions (ARIA) and the Malaysian Association of Themeparks & Family Attractions (MATFA), according to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in a written statement as quoted by Indonesia Window on Sunday.

He appreciates the efforts of the national tourism community under the auspices of TEPANAS (Friends of the National Tourism Community) ASTINDO and ARIA for initiating a collaboration that is expected to increase the number of tourist arrivals from Malaysia to Indonesia, so that the target of 7.4 million foreign tourist visits can be achieved.

"This tourism association collaboration is also expected to be able to improve the creative economy sector in Indonesia, especially culinary, because the majority of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia are for culinary tourism," Sandiaga noted.

Therefore, the collaborative agenda between associations in Indonesia and Malaysia would be used to support the national movement program called Bangga Berwisata di Indonesia (Proud to Travel in Indonesia) and also Spice Up The World.

One of the solutions to accelerate the tourism sector is to strengthen collaboration with pentahelix elements, because apart from innovation and adaptation, collaboration of all parties is important to do, the minister said.

"And this moment is a form of effort to strengthen collaboration, so that we can achieve better targets, to create wider employment opportunities," he said.

Malaysia is one of the countries contributing the most number of tourists to Indonesia. Nevertheless, existence in the Malaysian market still needs to be maintained and improved. In addition to realizing the achievement of foreign tourist targets, it is also to contribute to Indonesia's foreign exchange and GDP.

Reporting by Indonesia Window