VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Familiarization trip to Bali for China's Travel Agencies - 

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) is holding an introductory public tour activity or familiarization trip (famtrip) by inviting five journalists from the five most influential media in China which takes place in Bali from 26 June to 1 July 2023. 

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in his statement, Monday (3/7/2023), explained that the famtrip program this time was the result of cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy and the Provincial Government of Bali which was focused on promoting the Bali destination as the most desirable tourist destination for the Chinese market.

"With various strategic steps taken with partners to promote Indonesia in general and Bali in particular, we hope that this program can contribute to the revival of our economy, create jobs, and open up the widest possible business opportunities for the tourism sector and Indonesia's creative economy said the Menparekraf.

Deputy for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Ni Made Ayu Marthini, added that the five journalists who participated in this famtrip came from The Paper (Shanghai), People's Daily, The Beijing News, Nanfang Daily, and Chengdu Economic Daily.

"Not only designed to showcase Bali, this famtrip also offers journalists to experience the experience of traveling directly so they can convey better information to their readers or audience about Bali," said Made.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, tourists from China have indeed become the main focus of the Indonesian tourism market since 2017.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, China was one of the countries with the largest contributor to tourist arrivals to Indonesia. From 2017 to 2019 around more than 2 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia.

The amount spent by tourists from China was also the largest before the pandemic.

Data shows the average length of stay (_length of stay_) of Chinese tourists in Indonesia ranges from 8 to 10.71 days, with an average spending per arrival (ASPA) reaching US$1,100 to 1,386.55. This figure is equivalent to European tourists who are famous for being extravagant when traveling.

To accelerate the recovery of Indonesian tourism and attract more tourists from China to the country, Ni Made stressed the importance of expanding direct connectivity.

"More direct flights will make it easier for Chinese tourists to travel to Indonesia. Therefore, we strongly encourage airline partners to reopen routes and meet passenger capacity, at least at pre-pandemic levels," Made added.

As of June 2023, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy recorded a total of 50 direct flight routes from 10 cities in China to Jakarta and Bali, with a total of 50 flight frequencies/week, operated by 8 airlines from China to Indonesia. So that the total seat capacity reaches 9,939 seats per week.

Tourism Marketing Director for the Asia Pacific Region of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Wisnu Sindhutrisno, said that in order to achieve the new target of 361,500 Chinese tourist visits this year and maintain Wonderful Indonesia, especially Bali, a collaborative marketing approach is needed by all stakeholders.

"Therefore Kemenparekraf is not only cooperating with the Government of Bali. This Famtrip is also supported by various partners, namely The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas - Nusa Dua Bali; China Southern Airlines; Garuda Indonesia; Atlas Beach Party; Hatten's grapes; and Krisna Souvenirs," said Wisnu.

The famtrip participants were invited to visit some of the “Top 10 most popular Points of Interest (POI) in Bali for Chinese tourists” according to leading Chinese online travel agents (OTAs) such as Trip.com and Tuniu.com. Among them are Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Bali Swing Ubud, and Puri Saren Agung.

During the trip, participants also had unforgettable flying experiences with China Southern Airlines and Garuda Indonesia, which have continued direct flight routes from China to Indonesia//VOI

Mayor of Salatiga and The Head of National Library officialy open the Silent Cafe - 

The Salatiga Silent Cafe is a form of actualization of literacy classes in the social inclusion-based library transformation program (TPBIS) managed by the Salatiga City Library and Archives Service by involving the Deaf Friends Community. Uniquely, consumers who want to order coffee must use the signal symbols posted on the table. This is the main attraction.

The cafe, which was formed in November 2022, is now part of the Salatiga regional public library. For people with disabilities who are deaf and mute, this cafe is a place for socializing, creating creations and increasing their own welfare.

Acting Mayor of Salatiga Sinoeng Noegroho Rachmadi said that apart from the existence of the Silent Cafe, the Salatiga City public library also presented a superior innovation program for early childhood called SINISA (Salatiga early literacy).

"The form of SINISA is reading books for toddlers. And given free to young children as the first book. This is an effort to support the creation of a literacy family in Salatiga City," added the Acting Mayor.

The SINISA book contains aspects of intelligence which include linguistic (verbal), mathematical logic, spatial intelligence (room), kinesthetic intelligence (physical and movement), and musical intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence (inside).

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Monday, the innovation of the SINISA program has the full support of the Head of the National Library, Muhammad Syarif Bando. The intentions and efforts made by the Salatiga municipal government should have been given that the task of educating the nation's children has been written in the mandate of the 1945 Constitution.

“Our current challenge is the digital era. Because when educational assignments are given and students are asked to look for references from Google. So, the thought process seems to have been completed, only the internet is enough to answer," explained Syarif Bando.

It's no wonder then that Google conducted a survey, the results of which found that the average Indonesian child is able to play the internet for 7 hours a day.

"This is certainly not progress, but setbacks," he said.

On the same occasion the Financial Services Authority (OJK) regional office 3 in the Central Java region and DI Yogyakarta helped establish the Integrated Financial Information Center in Salatiga City as literacy support and part of the financial inclusion ecosystem.

This program was initiated by the Regional Financial Acceleration Team, the Library and Archives Service, and the Literacy Mother of the City of Salatiga.

"There are three groups being targeted, namely women's groups, students, and MSME players," said Head of OJK Regional 3 Sumarjono.

The Integrated Financial Information Center that was formed, added Sumarjono, contributed to increasing understanding of financial products and services which included financial planning, investment alert, to online loans (pinjol).

Sumarjono promised to include derivative programs such as Financial Literacy Day, Financial Literacy Proficient Women and Financial Literacy Motivator Youth, as well as the Financial Education Program for MSME Actors.

He reasoned that in Central Java there is an imbalance (gap) between the level of financial literacy and financial inclusion. If this is not resolved, problems will arise, such as the rise of loans and illegal investments.

"We do this solely to drive the regional economy and support the Community Literacy Improvement Index," he added.

The involvement of literacy mothers in the program carried out by the OJK was also mentioned as a form of breakthrough and accelerated information dissemination because it could optimize the role of PKK mothers.

And the City of Salatiga became the first city designated for the establishment of an Integrated Financial Information Center in Central Java.

The Book Exhibition and Literacy Expo for the City of Salatiga were held in commemoration of the 1,273th Anniversary of the City of Salatiga.

This exhibition was enlivened by various MSME products, various workshops, and musical entertainment. In addition, a number of products from persons with disabilities were also exhibited//VOI

Illustration : Children plays traditonal games - 

Welcoming the school holidays, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) offers many exciting activities which are summarized under the theme "Gathering Boys".

This holiday week will take place from 15 June to 15 July 2023. This event aims to provide a fun and educational experience for students. children during school holidays.

Apart from that, it is also possible for adults who want to re-live childhood memories, play, and feel happiness with friends or family.

TMII management has prepared various traditional Indonesian games that children can play for free, such as stilts, dakon, tops, tapak gunung, rubber jumps, kites, marbles, and many more.

In addition to old games, there is also an indoor children's bicycle arena, traditional dance performances, umkm festivals, village snack festivals, music concerts, urban wayang, and exhibitions showcasing the richness of Indonesian culture.

"We want to provide a different experience for children during school holidays. So, forget about gadgets and school assignments, let the children enjoy their childhood happily. Let kids be kids." said Claudia Ingkiriwang, Main Director of TMII.

"We hope that children can learn about Indonesian culture and become part of the culture itself through traditional games that children can play for free and dance performances where children can dance together."

Besides that, children can also enjoy a comfortable and spacious green open area. There are also a variety of delicious Indonesian culinary delights to meet the needs of visitors.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, TMII has also implemented various security measures to ensure the safety and health of visitors with the availability of health service posts and security officers who are always on standby in the field.

TMII is open every day from 06.00 to 18.00 WIB. Visitors are expected to purchase tickets online to avoid long lines and ensure a smooth and easy experience//VOI

UK Deputy Prime Minister after attending a meeting in Downing Street - 

The UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden MP will visit Indonesia on 25-26 June 2023 and will be meeting with Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Panjaitan to discuss potential collaborations on economic security, critical minerals and progress of the UK-Indonesia Investment Cooperation MoU signed last year. He will also meet with ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Michael Tene to highlight UK support for Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and to discuss how the UK will deliver on its commitments under the ASEAN Dialogue Partner agreement.

Mr Dowden will also be meeting with the Head of National Cyber and Encryption Agency (BSSN) Lieutenant General (ret.) Hinsa Siburian to follow up on the recent UK - Indonesia Cyber Security Dialogue that took place in London in March 2023, sign an MoU on UK-Indonesia Cyber Security Cooperation, and launch a UK-funded cyber capacity building programme for Indonesia.

“There is a huge amount of potential to strengthen the UK’s relationship with Indonesia, as the largest economy in South East Asia. Our mutual trade and investment already increased by almost a third last year and as Indonesia Chairs ASEAN this year, we will support a free and open Indo-Pacific as a new ASEAN Dialogue Partner" UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden MP said. 

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Saturday, issues like access to critical minerals, free trade and cyber security affect all of the prosperity in an interconnected world.

The Deputy Prime Minister is look forward to meeting Indonesian Ministers in these areas and building on March’s UK-Indonesia Cyber Dialogue here in London, with even deeper cooperation between the cyber security experts and the BSSN.

Meanwhile British Charge d’Affaires Matthew Downing explain that the visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden reaffirms the UK’s commitment to further the collaborations with Indonesia and ASEAN. As ASEAN Chair this year, Indonesia plays an important role in driving the bloc’s ambitions as a fast growing, inclusive, sustainable and economic region.   

"The Indo-Pacific is an increasingly important region and we want to deepen our relationships here, including by bolstering cyber security cooperation with Indonesia. In the last few years, the UK has worked with the Indonesian government to improve cybersecurity regulations for the banking sector; secure the vital telemedicine sector; and deliver information security through exercises and training. I hope this visit will further strengthen our work on cyber security”, Matthew Downing added. 

“As ASEAN’s newest Dialogue Partner, the UK is committed to deepening our longstanding relationship and delivering a comprehensive ASEAN-UK Plan of Action, which includes upholding ASEAN centrality and strengthening cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges", UK Ambassador to ASEAN Sarah Tiffin said. 

The visit by UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is a clear demonstration of the UK’s long term commitment to ASEAN and our ambition to contribute to peace, prosperity and development in the region”//VOI