Lawmaker Appreciates Performance In Tourism Sector

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - A leading lawmaker expressed appreciation for the government performance in the tourism sector, saying the sector would grow to become the  country's largest foreign exchange earner.

Chairman of the Commission X of the House of Representative Teuku Riefky Harsya said the tourism sector has grown lately that in 2020 it could become the largest contributor to the country's foreign exchange income and the biggest job provider in 2020.

"I am confident  in 2020 the tourism sector would be a prima donna. The data are there and  concrete . In the past three years almost all sectors have declined  but the tourism sector grew significantly," Teuku Riefka said here on Thursday.

Data at the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) showed that the tourism sector has expanded  when all other sector are shrinking.

The oil and gas sector shrank in foreign exchange contribution from US$32 billion in 2013, to only US$18 billion  in 2015, he cited.

Foreign exchange earning from the coal mining sector fell from US$24 billion in 2013  to US$16 billion in 2015  and  palm oil exports were valued only US$15 billion in 2015 from US$16 billion in 2013 despite an increase in export volume.

Meanwhile, foreign exchange earning from the tourism sector grew from US$10 billion in 2013 to US$12 billion in 2015.

A rising trend has also been recorded in the international tourist arrivals, Riefka said, adding that  the tourism industry would grow to become the largest industry in the world.

He cited China, the world's largest in manufacturing industry, is shifting its focus in economic development to expansion of tourism industry as indicated by its large scale investments in the tourism sector.

"In Southeast Asian region,  there is Singapore, which also focuses on  development of tourism sector. Apart from being an international trade hub, Singapore has declared itself as a world's shopping heaven," he said.

Thailand has also succeeded in luring in 30 million foreign tourist to visit its tourist objects in 2015.

Riefky, therefore, called on heads of regional administration in the country to be appreciate the riches of their regions in tourism objects  and began to take serious steps in tourism development.

"The tourism sector could become a major earner  and contributor to regional income  and significant provider of jobs," the politician from the Democrat party said.

He noted currently has shifted focus from the mining sector to tourism sector  in a bid to increase income. (WDY)