JAKARTA (BPN) – The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has agreed to strengthen cooperation in the tourism and creative economy with Hungary.
Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, on a meeting with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, said that tourism is one of the sectors that significantly affected by the pandemic.
“Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic. There are restrictions and even cancellations of international flights. This is a big blow to ASEAN countries including Indonesia, which place tourism as a source of economic,” said Minister Sandiaga Uno said on Tuesday (16/2/2021), as quoted from the Ministry news release.
The minister said that in 2019, the number of Hungarian tourists to Indonesia was recorded at 14,218. However, in 2020 the number dropped due to the pandemic, amounting to 3,559 tourists.
Minister Sandi explained the ministry will continue various promotional programs that have been carried out previously, such as fam-trips, sales missions, as well as various festivals and exhibitions.
“Currently, our focus is still on implementing health protocols and increasing domestic tourist visits. But in the future, when the border opens, of course, we will attract tourists from Hungary,” Sandi said.
Furthermore, Sandi said Indonesia and Hungary also have great potential in increasing cooperation in the creative economy, especially in the field of information technology and start-ups.
The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry previously had BEKUP (Baparekraf for Startup) program, which became a forum to support startups in the creative industry by providing intensive assistance to survive and develop during the pandemic.
This program will later collaborate with the second year of #HUNINDOTECH, a business forum initiated by the Hungarian and Indonesian Governments to enhance public-private partnerships in the digital sector in the two countries.
Meanwhile, Minister Péter Szijjártó appreciated the plan to intensify the cooperation of the two countries, especially in the field of tourism and the creative economy.
“Bali is one of the favorite destinations for Hungarian tourists. We are also excited to work together in the creative economy, including in fintech solutions, artificial intelligence in the creative economy sector, and the development of digital technology,” said Péter Szijjártó.
