Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, at the Press Conference for HLF-MSP 2024 and the 2nd IAF at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Bali, on Tuesday (3 September 2024). (Photo: Birkom Parekraf)

Badung, 3 September 2024 – Hosting the High-Level Forum on Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (HLF MSP) and the 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF) 2024 has resulted in numerous collaborations promoting the growth of Indonesia's tourism and creative economy sectors, as well as an effective means of promoting Indonesia's brand image.

This was stated by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC) in Bali on Tuesday (3 September 2024).

Sandiaga mentioned that diplomatic relations between Indonesia and African countries have long been strong, but there is still much room for improvement in tourism and the creative economy.

"Africa is the continent of the future. All eyes are on Africa due to its vast market and abundant resources. Therefore, this significant meeting should be further strengthened with activities that can enhance cooperation between Indonesia and African countries, especially in the tourism and creative economy sectors," said Minister Uno.

In line with President Joko Widodo's directive to increase economic partnerships with non-traditional markets, particularly Africa, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has explored tourism and creative economy collaborations with several African countries, including Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, and Zanzibar.

"The proposed areas of cooperation in the tourism sector include tourism promotion, product development, human resource capacity building, sustainable and green tourism, MICE, information exchange, investment, connectivity, and potential private sector collaboration. Meanwhile, in the creative economy sector, the proposed areas of cooperation include developing and promoting 17 sub-sectors, especially film, culinary, and crafts," said Minister Uno.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (center), accompanied by Deputy for Resources and Institutional Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Martini M. Paham, and Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Products at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Muhammad Neil El Himam, at the Press Conference for HLF-MSP 2024 and the 2nd IAF, at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Bali, on Tuesday (3 September 2024). (Photo: Birkom Parekraf)

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recently released the latest data indicating that African tourist's visits to Indonesia have increased, with a total of 33,185 visits from January to June 2024.

"South Africa is the largest contributor of tourists to Indonesia, followed by Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Kenya," said the Minister.

Overall, the annual figures from 2021 to 2023 show significant growth, with 2,341 visits in 2021, 29,682 in 2022, and 71,652 in 2023. Although the number of visits in 2023 and 2024 is still lower than the 2019 figure of 98,919, the 2024 visit figures indicate a 20.10 percent growth over the same period in January—June 2023, which recorded 27,632 visits.

"Popular tourism destinations include nature, culture, and religious tourism. As the main entry point for African tourists to Indonesia, Bali is the primary destination for African tourists. Our target is to offer high-quality tourism," said Minister Uno.

With the collaborations being explored both before and during the HLF-MSP 2024 and the 2nd IAF, Minister Uno hopes that tourism will benefit greatly, particularly in terms of higher hotel occupancy rates, longer lengths of stay, and increased spending by African tourists, thereby further contributing to the country's economy.

Meanwhile, Martini M. Paham, the Deputy for Resources and Institutional Affairs at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, added that one of the cooperation scopes being offered is an exchange of expertise, where Indonesia and African countries can learn from one another.

"MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, and Exhibition) is one area that Algeria and Zanzibar have expressed interest in learning from Indonesia, as Indonesia has successfully staged international MICE events since the Asian-African Conference in 1955 in Bandung. Indonesia can also learn how to develop sustainable tourism from African countries," said Martini.

The Deputy for Digital Economy and Creative Products at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Muhammad Neil El Himam, also added that the services sector could become a trade opportunity between Indonesia and African countries in the creative economy sector.

"For creative economy products, batik has already dominated the African market, but it would be even better if more Indonesian creative economy products enter Africa as a bridge between Indonesia and Africa," said Neil. (Birkom Parekraf/TR/Elvira Inda Sari/FI/SC).

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For more information, please contact.

Head of Communication Bureau at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency - I Gusti Ayu Dewi Hendriyani (081998739378)

Find more information at https://infopublik.id/kategori/hlf-msp-iaf, https://media.msp-iaf.id/, and https://s.id/msp-iaf