Friday, December 8, 2023
Indonesia will consider visa-free entry to let more nationalities to attract more tourism spending. It is somewhat reversing earlier restriction of the country’s entry rules.
The government is proposing to add 20 countries to the list. It includes the US, China and India, said Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
They may include few Middle Eastern countries, he added.
Earlier this year, Indonesia limited visa-free entry to neighboring Southeast Asian countries after many instances of foreign tourists misbehaving and breaking local laws.
This time, the government will also step up surveillance. It will be while seeking to bring in visitors who spend more and stay longer, and are less likely to behave badly, Uno said.
Now, Greece may issue temporary visas to boost tourism, but for only travellers from this country.
There must be a reciprocal aspect and a security aspect that must be maintained, the minister said. He was referring to Indonesia’s requests for its citizens to be granted visa-free entry in return.
The government is targeting 11.5 million foreign tourists this year, and expects the sector to contribute 200 trillion rupiah ($13 billion) to the economy next year.
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