Ani Hasanah

Karisma Event Nusantara 2024 Seeks to Increase Tourism Sector Income

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 17:42:20 +0700

Indonesia, which is home to overwhelming natural and cultural riches, has great potential in the tourism industry. The Indonesian government has set various strategic efforts to accelerate the tourism sector. It is also committed to encouraging sustainable tourism growth and providing benefits to the local communities.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia's tourism sector slumped. Various efforts have been made to revive the tourism industry by promoting tourism destinations through various festivals. One of them is holding the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN), which is a collaboration among the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf), the regional governments, and all tourism stakeholders to improve the image of Indonesian tourism and drive the revival of the tourism sector and creative economy.

At the launch of KEN 2024 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) amusement park in Jakarta Saturday evening (27/01/2024), Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf), Sandiaga Uno said, this event must generate financial income. He added that this year's target is to raise economic movement to reach 20-25 percent growth from last year, and he hopes it will also support 1.2 billion to 1.5 billion movements of domestic tourists in 2024. Presented under the title 'Indonesian Culture on the World Stage', the implementation of KEN, which takes place every month, is expected to generate income worth Rp 15.48 trillion (about US$979 million). There were 110 selected events recorded. Ten of these events have been declared ready to become international events which will be promoted by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy through various international exhibitions, such as ITB Berlin and World Travel Market (WTM) London.

The Indonesian government's hard efforts in promoting Indonesian tourism will not attain maximal results unless supported by various parties, including the private sector and the communities. The implementation of KEN 2023 has contributed to increasing the value of production of goods and services, amounting to Rp 212.2 billion, and Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worth Rp 198.6 billion. The writer hopes that the growth target of increasing economic movement to reach 20-25 percent from last year can be achieved through the Karisma Event Nusantara 2024. This event which features music, culture, carnivals, and culinary delights is expected to multiply the movements of domestic and foreign tourists.

Two winners of the 2024 National German Language Olympiad to Represent Indonesia at the International Level

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 07:49:33 +0700

Jakarta (VOI News) - A total of 66 students from 55 Senior High Schools, Vocational High Schools, Madrasah Aliyah (MA) from 27 provinces competed in the 2024 National German Language Olympiad on January 16 at the Goethe-Institut Jakarta. Antje Nehls, Goethe-Institut Indonesien German Language Learning Expert Consultant, told Voice of Indonesia, Wednesday (17/01/2024) that the first and second winners will represent Indonesia to compete in the International German Language Olympiad in Germany next July.

"So this year in 2024, there will be an international German Language Olympics in Göttingen. The people who won rank 1 and 2, they will represent Indonesia this year in July in Germany competing with people from all over the world,” said Antje Nehls.

The National German Language Olympiad organized by the Goethe-Institut Indonesien in collaboration with the Indonesian German Language Teachers Association (IGBJI) is an annual national competition for German language learners aged 15-17 years. This year, the National German Olympiad which is entering its 17th edition, was held off-line for the first time after the previous three editions were held online due to the pandemic.

In the winner announcement ceremony at GoetheHaus Jakarta, Wednesday, Jan Kheiren Valentine Husnafsky from Ignatius Global School Palembang was named first winner, while Sebastian Dikko Daniswara from SMAN 3 Senior High School Yogyakarta was in the second place. Both of them will continue their struggle to compete in the International German Language Olympiad which will be held on 15-22 July 2024 in the city of Göttingen, Germany. Around 100 students from 50 countries are projected to compete for the title of the best German language learner. This grand international competition takes place every two years. (VOI/LIP/AHM/EDT)

Visa Free Visits as Government's Effort to Create Quality Tourism

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:01:01 +0700

The tourism sector is one of the pillars of the Indonesian economy and is a major foreign exchange contributor. The Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that cumulatively, foreign tourist visits from January to September 2023 increased by 143.41 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also predicts that foreign tourist visits by the end of this year will reach approximately 9 million visits.

The increase in foreign tourist visits to Indonesia is expected not only in terms of quantity but also quality. During the "Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno" event in Jakarta, Monday (18/12/2023), Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, conveyed proposals for 20 countries to obtain visa-free visits to Indonesia as an effort to create quality tourism. He believes that visa-free visits will greatly determine tourist visits in 2024. Therefore, his side is consistently targeting quality and sustainable tourists.

Several countries are contributors to quality tourists. Minister Sandiaga Uno also explained that several factors were taken into consideration by countries proposed to receive visa-free visits to Indonesia. These factors include the principle of reciprocity, economic impact, security aspects, per capita income, length of time and average expenditure of foreign tourists during their visit, and the number of outbound tourists (who travel outside their home country).

The proposed countries consist of Australia, China, India, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Italy and Spain.

Even though the visa-free proposal is currently still in the discussion stage with relevant ministries and institutions, it is hoped that this visa-free grant will be able to increase the number of foreign tourists to Indonesia, which is targeted to reach from 12.5 million to 14 million next year. It is targeted that this proposal will be finalized at the end of 2023 or early 2024.

To welcome the visa-free policy, of course, some consequences must be carried out by the Indonesian government, stakeholders in the tourism sector, and of course, the Indonesian people, namely improving services to tourists.

The visa-free policy could have a major positive impact on Indonesian tourism. This could increase the number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia because it makes entry easier for those who previously had to go through a complicated visa process. Thus, this will have an economic impact that can improve the welfare of society, increase state income from the tourism sector, create new jobs, and advance the local economy in various tourism destinations across the country.

Dutch Ambassador: The Netherlands and Indonesia are Strong Partners

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Thu, 04 May 2023 13:12:05 +0700

Jakarta (voinews) - The Dutch Embassy in Indonesia organized a reception of the King’s Day at Erasmus Huis in Jakarta, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Dutch Ambassador Lambert Grijns invited a variety of guest such as Indonesian government officials, companies, NGO’s, journalists and the Dutch community to join this event. In his welcome speech, Ambassador Lambert Grijns said that Indonesia and the Netherlands are strong partners. He said the Netherlands is one of the largest European investors and trade partners to Indonesia and ASEAN.

“We are strong partners, we are one of the largest European investors and trade partners to Indonesia and to ASEAN, and we are the destination of more than 3000 students from ASEAN every year. We hope that Indonesia can be the Netherlands’ gateway to ASEAN, to help us elevate our friendship with ASEAN to an even stronger partnership,” said Ambassador Lambert.

The Dutch Ambassador Lambert Grijns also said in health sector, the Netherlands and Indonesia have a very close relationship. It is reflected for instance in another Dutch trade mission on health later this month to Jakarta and Surabaya, with quite a few Dutch companies very eager to invest in Indonesia.

The King's Day was actually celebrated every 27 April. In the Netherlands, this day is a public holiday. This year the date coincides with the Eid holiday in Indonesia, therefore King’s Day was celebrated on 3 May 2023. In addition, the celebrations also take place in Medan and Surabaya on May 5th and Bali on May 8th together with the Dutch honorary consulates. (VOI/AHM)

Dutch Ambassador: The Netherlands and Indonesia are Strong Partners

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Thu, 04 May 2023 12:44:46 +0700

The King's Day was actually celebrated every 27 April. In the Netherlands, this day is a public holiday. This year the date coincides with the Eid holiday in Indonesia, therefore King’s Day was celebrated on 3 May 2023. In addition, the celebrations also take place in Medan and Surabaya on May 5th and Bali on May 8^th together with the Dutch honorary consulates. (VOI/AHM)

Indonesian and Australian Photo Journalists Collaborate in New Jakarta Exhibition

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 15:41:15 +0700

Penny Williams PSM (Australian Ambassador to Indonesia) and Alex Ellinghausen at Photo Exhibition "Bangkit dari Pandemi" (DOK VOI)

VOI News (Jakarta) - The Jakarta Library Taman Ismail Marzuki in Cikini, Jakarta is hosting an exhibition featuring the work of prominent Australian journalist, Alex Ellinghausen and other Indonesian photojournalists till the 5^th of February in a collaboration between the Australian Embassy and Pewarta Foto Indonesia.

The exhibition is entitled ‘Bangkit dari Pandemi’ (Rising from the Pandemic). It showcases a number of Ellinghausen’s pieces from recent years, including from his visit to the Quad Leaders Summit in Tokyo and the 2019 Australian bushfires.

"I am very pleased to invite Alex to Jakarta to exchange experiences and knowledge with photojournalists in Indonesia," said Penny Williams PSM, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, during the opening.

Ellinghausen will be hosting a number of workshops over the week for budding photojournalists around Jakarta.

“I’m here for the week to have a chat with university students, tell them a little bit about what I do” he said.

Ellinghausen will also be meeting with numerous Indonesian photographers who he has previously worked with during International Summits.

“I get to listen and learn from them,” he said. “They are telling me their experiences [and] their stories; there a lot of similarities in what we do and that process of sharing knowledge with each other has been a really valuable process for me.”

Ambassador Penny Williams is passionate about this collaboration, especially after two tumultuous years of lockdowns that have prevented photo exhibitions.

"This exhibition not only shows the great creative talent of the two countries, but also raises the value of professional collaboration between creative groups in Australia and Indonesia." she said.

The exhibition is opened from 31^st January till 5^th February. (VOI/Luca Pearce)

Indonesian and Indian Total Bilateral Trade Reaches US$30.37 Billion in 2022

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 13:13:52 +0700

(VOI News) Jakarta - India and Indonesia, the close Maritime neighbors, which enjoy comprehensive strategic partnership draw their source of friendship from the shared linkages of trade, culture, language and art of over 2,000 years. In current times, these bonds have further, strengthened in political and geopolitical context, and the field of economy, defense, and Science. This was conveyed by the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Manoj Kumar Bharti at the commemoration of India's 74th Republic Day in Jakarta, Thursday evening. In the field of trade, Ambassador Manoj Kumar said the total bilateral trade between the two countries in 2022 reached 30.37 Billion US Dollars.

“India and Indonesia signed a trade deal worth Rupees 1 billion on the sidelines of a trade investment and Industry ministerial meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, which has reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to reach trade, bilateral trade of US Dollars 50 billion in the very near future. I am happy to share that Expo November 2022, the total bilateral trade between both countries have reached US Dollars thirty point three seven billion in the first 11 months as for the Indonesian Statistical Department statistics which shows a nearly 60 percent growth in bilateral trade over the same period in 2021,” Manoj said.

In his remarks, Ambassador Manoj Kumar said the year 2022 has been quite momentous for Indonesia and India. In November during the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali, Indonesian President Joko Widodo passed the presidency to Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. He further said India has offered to Indonesia to host the next major conference of No Money For Terror or NMFT in Jakarta. The third NMFT was held in New Delhi in November 2022 and discussed various aspects of terrorism financing, emerging Technologies and international cooperation to address challenges in combating Terror financing with 88 countries. //// (VOI/AHM)

Together with ASEAN and the UN, Indonesia and Vietnam Combat COVID-19

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 03:57:31 +0700

Jakarta (VOI News) - This year, on December 30, 2020, Indonesia and Vietnam will celebrate their 65th year of diplomatic relations. So far, relations between the two countries have been well established. Since 2013 the two countries have established Strategic Partnerships with in-depth cooperation in all fields, including political and diplomatic dialogue, defense and security cooperation, economic cooperation, as well as tourism promotion, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contact.

To commemorate the 65th diplomatic relations, the Vietnamese Embassy in Jakarta held an online media luncheon on Tuesday (22/12). This was one of a series of activities carried out by the Vietnamese Embassy in Jakarta to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his remarks, Vietnam Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang said that in response to the global COVID-19 outbreak, Vietnam and Indonesia in various fora, both in ASEAN and at the United Nations (UN), have participated in seeking cooperation to prevent and combat the pandemic.

“Vietnam as a chair of ASEAN, we have already had a statement, ASEAN statement, in March 2020. And after that, we have a serious plan of action. ASEAN to have the fund and later this year, you can follow the result of the Summit of ASEAN. Also in the international fora like the United Nations, Vietnam will also compose the United Nations resolution to combat COVID-19. So we together with Indonesia and other large countries will adopt this matter,” said Ambassador Quang.

In his remarks, Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang said that his country has an interest in working together with Indonesia in developing the COVID-19 vaccine. (VOI / AHM)

Megawati: Having the Same Aspiration, Friendship between Vietnam and Indonesia will be Eternal

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 06:40:48 +0700

VOI News - A week-long photo exhibition is being held at Yogyakarta’s public library Grhatama Pustaka and virtual format at Virtualexpo.jogjaprov.go.id to commemorate the 65 years of bilateral diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Vietnam. Speaking online at the opening ceremony of the event on Monday (08/12), Megawati Soekarnoputri shared her deep memories of Uncle Ho and her father, President Soekarno, during President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Indonesia in 1959, emphasizing the similarities in the exceptional qualities that are rare for both leaders. She also expressed her belief that the friendship between Vietnam and Indonesia will surely be eternal because both countries share the same aspirations for freedom, independence, and the next generations need to continue to preserve. MeanwhileGovernor of Yogyakarta Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X represented by Deputy GovernorKanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Aryo Paku Alam X, in his virtual remarks, stressed relationship history between Indonesia and Vietnam will strengthen cooperation bilaterally, not only at the governmental level but also in the relations between the two peoples. He believed that the event would become an opportunity for the people of the two countries, especially youth, to deepen understanding of the long-standing friendship between the two countries. (AHM/VOI/Embassy of Vietnam)

Commemorating the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Indonesia and Vietnam Holds a Photo Exhibition in Yogyakarta

ani_hm@hotmail.com (Ani Hasanah) — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 06:35:16 +0700

VOI News - The Vietnamese Embassy in Jakarta in coordination with the Government of Yogyakarta held an opening ceremony of a week-long photo exhibition at Yogyakarta’s public library Grhatama Pustaka on 7 December 2020 and virtual format at Virtualexpo.jogjaprov.go.id. The event was virtually attended by the Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang and the fifth President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri. The photo exhibition was officially opened by the Deputy Governor of YogyakartaKanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Aryo Paku Alam X.Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Pham Vinh Quang in his remarks generally reviewed 65 years of relationships between the two countries and the special friendship between President Ho Chi Minh and President Soekarno as the platform for bilateral relations. The Ambassador also introduced Vietnam's recent economic achievements, highly appreciated Yogyakarta's role and position in history, culture, education, economy, and believed that Yogyakarta would continue to develop and promote investment, trade, and tourism relations with localities of Vietnam. (Release of Embassy of Vietnam)