DENPASAR ~

Tourism observer, Ida Bagus Surakusuma claimed that tourism minister in the government of Jokowi-JK should really be the right person, knowing technical and non-technical controls in boosting tourist arrivals to be double in amount in the next five years.

“Tourism minister should have the ability to improve performance, because adding tourist arrivals from 10 million to 20 million in five years or in a year increased by an average of 20 percent is not easy,” said Director of PT Pacific World Nusantara in Denpasar on Thursday.

Jokowi-JK government plans to boost tourist numbers doubled to the next five years or 20 million foreign tourists.

Surakusuma who is familiarly called Gus Lolec said, the minister of tourism should really have  previous professional experience who are able to read tourism potential and readiness of the of each region in Indonesia.

Thus, he said, the minister of tourism can work on potential markets abroad and directing them to travel to Indonesia in accordance with the potential and readiness of each region.

“This is important because not all regions in Indonesia are ready to welcome foreign tourists,” he said.

It was due to the local communities are not ready to welcome the presence of foreigners also the supporting infrastructure which is not available.

The minister of tourism should be able to make a strategic breakthrough, embracing all the components and supported with promotional funds in sufficient quantities.

He warned, promotional efforts abroad must also be supported by professional officers to be able to direct potential tourists visiting Indonesia.

Competition between countries in attracting tourist was very tight, so it needs a breakthrough and strategy and hard work of all parties in increasing tourist arrivals, he said.

According to him, the increasing tourist arrivals in Bali was not a problem, as long as these are well known internationally. Such tourism development should be done thoroughly in all regions in Indonesia.

In terms of potential, the natural beauty and uniqueness of the cultural arts in eastern Indonesia is as great as  Bali, which is already known to the international community.

The problem is highly dependent on the availability of facilities and road infrastructure for better transportation, whether by land, sea and air which are becoming one of the strategic role in advancing the tourism sector.

“Facilities which are not yet available will certainly become “homework” for the minister of tourism as a pioneer to work closely with the relevant ministers in building the necessary infrastructure,” he said.