VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews.id, Jakarta : Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in May 2024, foreign tourist visits  in Indonesia reached 1.15 million. This number increased by 7.36 percent compared to April 2024 and increased by 20.11 percent compared to the same month in 2023.

Main Expert of Tourism and Creative Economy at the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nia Niscaya at "The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno", in Jakarta on Monday (8/7/) conveyed that based on the statistics data, the number of foreign tourist visits shows optimism because it is growing positively.

Nia Niscaya has also revealed that the ministry keeps striving to make Indonesia stay Top of Mind in the eyes of foreign tourists. "The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy continued to make various programs and  strive for Indonesia as a destination that remains top of mind in the eyes of foreign tourists," said Nia Niscayaa.

Furthermore, Nia Niscaya explained that the ministry will carry out several activities or programs, so that Indonesia remains Top of Mind in the eyes of foreign tourists. For example, in the near future, the government will  hold a Sales Mission in Australia,  Familiarization Trip (Famtrip) in Australia and New Zealand and Table Top in South and Central Asian Markets.

In addition, according to Nia  organizing quality events is also created to attract foreign tourists .

VOInews.id, Jakarta : Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is waiting for the completion of supporting infrastructure before moving to his office in Nusantara Capital City (IKN) in East Kalimantan.

The relocation depends on the availability of electricity, water, and office readiness, Jokowi said on Monday. On a previous occasion, he said he was optimistic about starting work in IKN in July, once the raw water supply was made available.

In line with that, Presidential Secretariat Head Heru Budi Hartono said that the relocation of Jokowi's office to IKN is still pending the establishment of basic infrastructure in the area. Some infrastructure is still being prepared, including a clean water supply and an airport in North Penajam Paser.

Despite the airport's construction aiming for completion next August, Hartono emphasized the need for additional checks and obtaining the airport’s operational permit.

Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno has pointed out that the plan for a visa-free visit policy for 20 countries is in the finalization stage.

Minister Sandiaga Uno at The Weekly Brief with Sandi Uno in Jakarta, Monday (8/7/2024) explained that the Presidential Regulation plan related to visa-free is procedurally complete.

According to Sandiaga, the government has considered a number of things related to the visa-free visit policy, ranging from the economic impact, the principle of reciprocity to the security aspect.

"The 20 countries that we propose are those with travelers who have the greatest economic impact which certainly provides the principle of reciprocity and economic growth as well as security," said the Minister.

Furthermore, Minister Sandiaga Uno explained that from 20 countries proposed to get a visa-free policy, 10 of them come from the ASEAN region. According to him, this visa-free policy will be evaluated every 6 months.

Minister Sandiaga also targets this visa-free policy to be realized before the end of President Joko Widodo's administration

Indonesian President Joko Widodo released humanitarian aid from the Indonesian government for the victims of natural disasters that occurred in Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan. The aid release took place at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta on Monday, July 8, 2024.

The Indonesian government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) sent various types of humanitarian assistance to Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan.

"We know that on May 24, 2024 there was a devastating landslide in Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. In October 2023 there was also an earthquake in Afghanistan that caused many casualties and refugees. Hopefully this aid can help relieve our brothers and sisters in Papua New Guinea and in Afghanistan and move them on soon," said the president.

Moreover, President Joko Widodo also explained that the aid ranged from medicines, additional food to hygiene kits. To the delegates who brought the aid, the Head of State advised that this humanitarian mission could be done well. In addition, he also requested that the delegates be able to maintain health and safety while on duty.

The release was also attended by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto and Deputy Ambassador of Papua New Guinea Gregory Hombuahin and Head of Delegation IFRC Jakarta Office Elkhan Rahimov/