Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno hoped that the collaboration between the Indonesian and Malaysian tourism associations will bolster the tourism sector of the two countries.

He also appreciated the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Indonesia Tours & Travel Association (ASTINDO) and the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) which took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“This collaboration is also expected to improve the creative economy sector in Indonesia, especially the culinary sector because the majority of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia are for culinary tours,” he said in an official statement, Monday, March 20.

Sandiaga hoped that this cooperation could increase the number of tourist arrivals from Malaysia to Indonesia so that the target of 7.4 foreign tourist visits can be achieved.

Meanwhile, the collaborative agenda will be used to support the national programs dubbed Proud to Travel in Indonesia and Spice Up The World.

One of the solutions to accelerate the tourism sector is to strengthen ties with Penta helix elements because apart from innovation and adaptation, collaboration is fundamental.

“This moment is a form of effort to strengthen collaboration so that we can achieve better targets, and create wider employment opportunities,” Sandiaga Uno said.

Malaysia is one of the countries contributing the most tourists to Indonesia. Nevertheless, the Malaysian market still needs to be maintained and improved. Apart from achieving the goal of tourist visits, the partnership was expected to contribute to Indonesia's foreign exchange and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).