Indonesia Tourism Rank Rose Up to 74

Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy revealed that Indonesia's tourism competitiveness ranking rose up to 74th rank in 2011 from the previous ranking of 81st in 2009 among 139 countries.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menteri Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif - Menparekraf), Mari Elka Pangestu said that it's a good indication for the development of Indonesia's tourism sector.

Indonesian tourism

Even so, she realizes that Indonesia rank is still far below other ASEAN countries such as Singapore (16th rank), Malaysia (32nd rank), and Thailand (42nd rank).

"So the government policies to accelerate the development of national tourism are still needed," she said.

According to her, the lack of competitiveness in Indonesia is caused by the limited number, variety and quality of human resources in tourism sector. As well as the capacity and quality of research and development in tourism sector not yet optimized.

"Although the national tourism has shown good progress, but there are still some problems," she said.

She noted one of the obstacles is that the tourist destinations in Indonesia are not yet fully ready to compete in the global market.

It is because of the management of the tourist destination hasn’t met the standard of assessment, the utilization of data bases not yet optimized, and the orientation in sustainable tourism development needs to be improved.

In addition, inadequate facilities and infrastructure to support tourism such as transportation sector, either by land, sea, or air, hence there is still lack of public facilities availability.

She also realized that the partnership and cooperation in promoting the tourism among government, private sector, and community have not been optimized yet.

The government policy in boosting the tourism investment climate is not effective. The development of the tourism sector, especially in West and East Indonesia region, still needs to be improved.

The promotion and marketing of Indonesian tourism are also considered not effective due to inadequate tourism information within and outside the country, less optimal partnerships between stakeholders in the promotion and marketing business, and the utilization of mass media, electronic, printed media and ICT as promotional tools not yet optimized.

She also admitted that inadequate promotion of local and international tourism destinations as well as the limited support of local government in supporting regional tourism promotion.

In the future she hoped the tourism sector will be one of the largest contributors for the state income. In year 2010, Tourism sector contributed U.S. $ 7603.45 million or fourth rank in the foreign exchange income.

Source: Analisa

Mari Pangestu Denied Bringing U.S. Franchise to Indonesia

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, has denied that she brought 16 franchises from the U.S. to Indonesia. She said that she simply witnessed the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) only.

"We stated that there is neither discussion nor meeting between the Minister Mari Pangestu, with the U.S. franchises. Mari Pangestu received an invitation to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a franchise partner in Indonesia. And she has assigned the Director General of Tourism Destination Development to attend, "said Head of Public Communication Center for Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, I Gusti Ngurah Putra on Tuesday (12/20/2011).

New U.S. Francises

Previously, a Professor of University of Indonesia, Sri Edi Swasono, 'pout' Mari Pangestu for bringing 16 U.S. franchises into Indonesia. The government act for allowing 16 U.S. francises into Indonesia is considered not-human and only cared for the capital owners only.

As reported, there are 12 companies that will bring 16 franchises to Indonesia. The twelve companies are incorporated in the Franchise Trade Mission Times / International Franchise Association / U.S. Commercial Service Trade Mission which came to Indonesia for the first time. The delegation was in Jakarta on 12-13 December 2011.

For the initial stage, Johnny Rockets franchise signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sahid Group to bring the famous brand of U.S. restaurants to Indonesia, with its first location in Bali.

The brands that are engaged in this trade mission are dominated by a food and beverages based franchise, such as:
Applebee's
Denny's
Johnny Rockets
Carvel Ice Cream
Cinnabon
Schlotzsky's
Moe's Southwest Grill
Great American Cookies
Marble Slab Creamery
Pretzelmaker
Pollo Tropical
Rita's Italian Ice
Which Wich
Wing Zone
As for the non-food and beverage franchises are:
Crestcom (leadership training franchise)
The Vitamin Shoppe

Source: detik