Indonesia’s Transportation Ministry Ready to Provide Facilities for New Bali Project

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said his office is ready to support the recovery of the tourism sector by building transportation infrastructure to enhance connectivity within Indonesia’s super-priority tourism destinations.

The 7.1 trillion rupiahs ($504.4 million) project or also known as the new Bali is a government-led program to enhance the tourism destinations in Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Bunaken in North Sulawesi, and Bangka Belitung on Sumatera island.

During the recent Tourism and Economy National Coordination Meeting, Budi said to support the development of the new Bali, the ministry is ready to build airports and seaports.

Dok. Shutterstock Lake Toba in North Sumatera Province.

“It is not only about the infrastructure development, but also the connectivity between cities and tourist attractions, between airports and cities that we need to build together,” he said on Friday, November 27.

“The development in the tourism sector will become one of our goals or efforts to help recover the economy,” he added.

Also read: Government Urges Indonesia’s Tourism Sector to Step Up Promotion

The former president director of the country’s airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero) said his office will prepare the system and facility to cater to the need for the potential foreign tourists in each destination in the new Bali.

Shutterstock Bunaken National Park in Manado, North Sulawesi.

He further added that North Sulawesi sees a potential number of tourist arrivals from China, Japan, and Korea. Therefore, there is a need to build facilities that can accommodate them.

Meanwhile, in Kualanamu on Sumatera island we can build facilities that can accommodate tourists from India as both places are relatively close, he said.

Besides, Budi also plans to establish direct flights between popular cities for holidaymakers in Indonesia and cities in Australia, Europe, and the US.

The Transportation Ministry is also planning to provide cruise ships and seaplanes to support the tourism sector.

“We will prepare for the cruise ships in Bali, Tanjung Mas [Central Java], Labuan Bajo, and Manado,” he said.

Also read: Indonesia’s Bangka Belitung Islands to Champion Experience Tourism

“We will prepare a seaplane service connecting Lake Toba to tourist destinations in Labuan Bajo, the Banda Sea, and Manado,” He added.

To support the recovery of the tourism sector, the Transportation Ministry needs to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions.

“There are things that need to be coordinated between the Transportation Ministry, Public Works and Housing Ministry, and other relevant ministries. Without their supports, it is not easy to carry out this activity,” he said.

(Writer: Rully R. Ramli | Editor: Erlangga Djumena)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/11/27/113900326/demi-5-bali-baru-menhub-siapkan-fasilitas-khusus.