VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 - 

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Kemenparekraf/Baparekraf) participated in the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023 which took place at Excel, London, England, on 6-8 November 2023.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (7/11/2023) explained that the presence of the Wonderful Indonesia Pavilion at the WTM London event was in order to market Indonesian tourism to UK and European markets as a whole, by taking advantage of the momentum of the world's second largest tourism exhibition.

"Considering that Indonesian tourism is still top of mind for the European community. So with our participation in WTM London it is hoped that we can increase the country's foreign exchange through tourism and encourage the creation of new and quality jobs," he said.

Based on data, England is the main market for European tourists for Indonesia with the largest number of tourists, followed by France, Germany, the Netherlands and Russia.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of British tourists visiting Indonesia reached 397,624 people, this figure will decrease to 170,881 people in 2022.

"In 2023, it is hoped that tourists from England will rebound. "The latest statistical data from January to September 2023 shows that the number of tourists from England visiting Indonesia has reached 255,714," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga.

At this WTM, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy facilitated 40 tourism industry players including travel agencies and accommodation service providers spread across several provinces in Indonesia by implementing the collaborative marketing concept.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (08/11/23), Deputy for Marketing Ni Made Ayu Marthini explain that in order to increase the variety of tourist activities visiting Indonesia, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy also believes in the importance of holding events for the success of Indonesian tourism promotion.

"Apart from developing five super priority destinations, we believe that event-led tourism can help Indonesian tourism return to pre-pandemic times," he said.

The Indonesian Pavilion occupies an area of ​​171 m2 in collaboration with industry and partners in hall S10-220. This time Indonesia raised the theme "Exploring New Destinations of Wonders". This theme is a form of Indonesia's consistency in promoting 5 Super Priority Destinations beyond Bali, which also have enchanting, authentic and unique attractions both in terms of landscape and surrounding culture.

"This focus is expected to help improve the quality of tourist visits, especially foreign tourists so they can stay longer in Indonesia. "Indirectly, this will also have a good impact on creative economy products in the 5 Super Priority Destinations," said Sandiaga.

The Indonesian pavilion at WTM London this year is targeting sales of 91,000 pax and potential foreign exchange reaching IDR 1.75 trillion. This target is expected to provide real benefits for the tourism industry and Indonesian society//VOI

The awards ceremony at the National working meeting - 

Transportation technology is developing rapidly. Not wanting to be left behind, the Directorate General of Land Transportation (Ditjen Hubdat) of the Ministry of Transportation continues to update information and improve the capabilities of its Human Resources (HR).

This was stated by the Director General of Land Transportation, Hendro Sugianto when giving his briefing at the 2023 Technical Coordination Meeting (Rakornis) for Land Transportation which was held on 8-9 November 2023, in Bandung with the theme *"Policy Collaboration for Inclusive Land Transportation and Sustainable”*.

According to Hendro, to reduce pollution in Indonesia's big cities, the government continues to develop transportation technology, including through electric vehicles. It doesn't stop there, the Government also completes it with supporting regulations.

"In the future, public transportation technology will also develop rapidly, and this will be a challenge for us as government officials to be able to keep up with it by adapting to existing regulations. We are also required to have the best readiness and capability of human resources. "Therefore, we hope that this Rakornis will update information and increase our abilities," he said.

He also said that he is not only preparing for transportation progress within the country, currently transportation progress is also happening at the regional level. Where freeways between Asean countries have also been built, so that land transportation in this regional area will be connected. Similar things also happen in border areas such as Indonesia and Malaysia, Indonesia and Timor Leste.

"Therefore, transportation policies at the national level must be addressed well, so that public demands for the desired transportation services in the areas of speed and comfort can be provided," he added.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Wednesday (08/11/23), on the same occasion, the Secretary of the Directorate General of Land Transportation, Amirulloh, read out the report that at the 2023 Land Transportation Coordination Meeting several important issues would be raised, namely:
1. Preparation for the implementation of Christmas and New Year 2023/2024 transportation;
2. Implementation of Law no. 1 of 2022 concerning Financial Relations Between the Central and Regional Governments;
3. Sharpening the Management of the Main Duties and Functions of the Organization within the Directorate General of Land Transportation;
4. Discussion of Organization and Work Procedures, Discussion of Legal Advocacy within the Ministry of Transportation and Discussion related to Construction Management.

"Towards the end of the year, Christmas and New Year transportation is one of the highlights related to the increasing level of travel undertaken by the public due to holidays and end-of-year holidays," said Amirulloh.

Meanwhile, in this activity, awards were also given to the Regional Government in the category of Contribution to Providing Subsidy for Providing the Best Urban Transport, namely:
1. D.I. Province Yogyakarta
2. Aceh Province
3. Semarang City
4. Padang City, and
5. Pekanbaru City.

Then, awards were also given to the best Motor Vehicle Test Organizer, namely:
1. UPUBKB Pulogadung, DKI Jakarta Province
2. UPUBKB Tangerang City, and
3. UPUBKB Tandes, Surabaya City

In terms of preparing for the 2023/2024 Christmas Transport, the Director of Road Traffic, Ahmad Yani, explained the prediction of an increase in the movement of people by 5% which refers to the 2023 Eid Transport. Meanwhile, the prediction for the peak of the first homecoming flow will occur on 22-23 December 2023, then the peak flow prediction The first return will occur on 26-27 December 2023, while the predicted peak of the second homecoming flow will occur on 29-30 December 2023 and the predicted peak of the second return flow will occur on 1-2 January 2024.

"We have also mapped out strategic issues during Christmas, including potential traffic jams in tourist areas, ramp checks, accumulation of passengers and vehicles at ports, online ticket sales, anticipating bad weather and preparing alternative routes," he said.

The Directorate General of Land Transportation together with all relevant stakeholders will continue to strive to create safe, comfortable and secure Christmas and New Year 2023/2024 transportation for the community.

This activity was attended by all staff within the Directorate General of Land Transportation along with all Technical Implementation Units, relevant central government agencies, Heads of Provincial, Regency and City Transportation Services throughout Indonesia, Transportation Observers and other related stakeholders both offline and/or online.

The Land Transportation Coordination Meeting was attended by all staff within the Directorate General of Land Transportation and its Technical Implementation Unit, related central government agencies, Heads of Provincial, Regency and City Transportation Services throughout Indonesia, Transportation Observers and other relevant stakeholders//VOI

VOInews, Jakarta: President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo officially opened the National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of Election Organizers in 2023, Wednesday (08/11/2023), at Puri Agung Ballroom, Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel, Jakarta.

In his remarks, President Joko Widodo expressed his appreciation to all election organizers for their hard work in carrying out every stage of the 2024 simultaneous elections.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all election organizers who continue to work hard to carry out the stages of the 2024 Election, both from the DKPP (Honorary Council of Election Organizers), from Bawaslu (The General Election Supervisory Agency), and from KPU (General Election Commission)," President Joko Widodo said in an official statement from the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (8/11/2023).

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, DKPP Chairman Heddy Lugito, KPU Chairman Hasyim Asy'ari, Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja, and Acting Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono also attended the event.

VOINews.id, Jakarta: Humanitarian aid from Indonesia for residents of the Gaza Strip, Palestine has arrived at El Arish Airport, Egypt on Monday (6/11/2023). The aid, inside the plane which arrived at 08.00 local time, was received by the Egyptian Red Crescent. Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pahala Mansury said that several parties, including the Egyptian Red Crescent, appreciated Indonesia.

"Various parties, including the Egyptian Red Crescent, expressed their appreciation (to Indonesia). Likewise from the Egyptian government, especially the local government who came to El Arish Airport, they all expressed their appreciation," he said in his official statement when handing over the aid on Monday evening, as monitored from Jakarta on Tuesday (7/11/2023).

Pahala added that they appreciated the efforts of the Indonesian government and people to collect the 51.5 tons of humanitarian aid. This is based on their observations of the Palestinian's condition in the Gaza Strip.

"They also expressed their appreciation for what the Indonesian people were doing, in terms of working together to collect aid, because they saw firsthand the difficulties faced by the Palestinian people in Gaza," he continued.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Red Crescent representative, Mahmoud Gamal, on behalf of the organization expressed his gratitude for Indonesia's humanitarian assistance. He said that his party is currently prioritizing medical equipment aid, which is needed by the people there. It is known that medical equipment is one of the logistical aid sent by Indonesia to the people in Gaza.

"We, the Egyptian Red Crescent, work 24 hours to receive aid from all countries that come to Egypt, and we sort the aid and then convey it to Palestine. We give priorities, and among the priorities that are now very needed is medical aid. We express our gratitude, especially for the Indonesian side, who is providing assistance at this time," said Mahmoud on the same occasion.

Mahmoud also added that the Egyptian Red Crescent is in need of a lot of humanitarian aid from all parties and countries. This aid is mainly in the form of necessities that are currently urgently needed by Gazans.

"Regarding humanitarian aid, especially for the people of Gaza, we need quite a lot of aid, especially humanitarian needs which are now urgently needed by Gaza, from all parties and all countries," he explained. (Ranov/Rama)