Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 06/05/2008 1:14 AM | Headlines
In an attempt to speed up the development of the nation's tourism sector, lawmakers are finalizing a draft law on tourism which would require a powerful, above-ministerial level coordinating agency to be established.
The draft is being drawn up by the House of Representatives' Commission X overseeing tourism, culture, education, youth and sports issues to amend the existing 1990 Tourism Law.
"The aim (of the draft) is to facilitate faster development of the sector. It now contributes Rp 45 trillion to Rp 60 trillion a year in income," said lawmaker Djabaruddin Ahmad on Wednesday.
"We want to extend it to more than Rp 200 trillion, making it the second largest contributor to the state income after the oil and gas sector."
"Currently, we can lure only five to six million foreign tourists (a year), while Singapore can attract 25 million and Malaysia 20 million. A really big gap, considering the fact that Indonesia actually has more to offer than those countries," he said.
The draft also stipulates that an independent agency would be established to take over from the government in regulating the sector.
"An independent agency is needed to cut down bureaucracy at the governmental level," Djabaruddin said.
Another legislator, Didik Rachbini, said the agency would also coordinate policies in the tourism sector with relevant ministries dealing with culture and tourism, foreign affairs, transportation, public works, agricultural and law and human rights.
"The House has proposed the vice president lead this agency," Didik said.
"Currently, the cultural and tourism minister leads the sector, but he can't supervise other related ministers as they are at the same level. So, a higher-level official is needed to coordinate them."
Two other agencies would also be established under the draft -- one tasked specifically to carry out promotional campaigns and another to coordinate private entities operating in the sector including travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and craft and souvenir makers.
The latter organization will be called the Indonesian Chamber of Tourism Industry.
Djabaruddin also said the draft would consider the values of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).
"Under the WTO paradigm, tourism does not only deal with trade, but also links to efforts to improve the environment, reduce poverty, enforce local communities and strengthen local cultures. It is more holistic and will provide more benefits to the country," Djabaruddin said.
Once completed, the draft will be the subject of deliberation between lawmakers and officials from the Culture and Tourism Ministry.
In an attempt to speed up the development of the nation's tourism sector, lawmakers are finalizing a draft law on tourism which would require a powerful, above-ministerial level coordinating agency to be established.
The draft is being drawn up by the House of Representatives' Commission X overseeing tourism, culture, education, youth and sports issues to amend the existing 1990 Tourism Law.
"The aim (of the draft) is to facilitate faster development of the sector. It now contributes Rp 45 trillion to Rp 60 trillion a year in income," said lawmaker Djabaruddin Ahmad on Wednesday.
"We want to extend it to more than Rp 200 trillion, making it the second largest contributor to the state income after the oil and gas sector."
"Currently, we can lure only five to six million foreign tourists (a year), while Singapore can attract 25 million and Malaysia 20 million. A really big gap, considering the fact that Indonesia actually has more to offer than those countries," he said.
The draft also stipulates that an independent agency would be established to take over from the government in regulating the sector.
"An independent agency is needed to cut down bureaucracy at the governmental level," Djabaruddin said.
Another legislator, Didik Rachbini, said the agency would also coordinate policies in the tourism sector with relevant ministries dealing with culture and tourism, foreign affairs, transportation, public works, agricultural and law and human rights.
"The House has proposed the vice president lead this agency," Didik said.
"Currently, the cultural and tourism minister leads the sector, but he can't supervise other related ministers as they are at the same level. So, a higher-level official is needed to coordinate them."
Two other agencies would also be established under the draft -- one tasked specifically to carry out promotional campaigns and another to coordinate private entities operating in the sector including travel agencies, hotels, restaurants and craft and souvenir makers.
The latter organization will be called the Indonesian Chamber of Tourism Industry.
Djabaruddin also said the draft would consider the values of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).
"Under the WTO paradigm, tourism does not only deal with trade, but also links to efforts to improve the environment, reduce poverty, enforce local communities and strengthen local cultures. It is more holistic and will provide more benefits to the country," Djabaruddin said.
Once completed, the draft will be the subject of deliberation between lawmakers and officials from the Culture and Tourism Ministry.