Indonesia has seen growing contribution of the tourism and creative economy industry to its gross domestic product (GDP) this year, with businesses in the industry expected to be robust next year, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Marie Elka Pangestu said here Wednesday.
Speaking in a session to review the industry's performance throughout this year, Marie said that the industry has a strategic role in advancing the national economy as it has demonstrated significant results in contributing to the country's GDP and workforce recruitment.
It has also helped spur business operations of small and middle- sized companies, the minister added.
Marie said that tourism sector alone has contributed 4 percent to the GDP with a revenue of 296.97 trillion rupiah (about 30.8 billion U.S. dollars) and the employment of 8.53 million people which accounts for 7.72 percent of the country's overall workforce recruitment this year.
The creative economy sector provided jobs for 11.57 million people, accounting for 10.63 percent to the nation's overall employment so far this year.
Indonesia will see robust tourism business next year as it has won trust from the international community for hosting a series of international events next year.
"Among the international events planned to be held here next year are the Asia Pacific economic forum of APEC, Miss World pageant contest and the world robotics summit," she said.
Indonesia has set a target to receive 9 million foreign tourists in 2013 amid high expectation to meet this year's target of 8 million.
"As of October we have recorded 6.6 million foreign tourist visits, or 82.5 percent of the target. We are optimistic to meet our target of 8 million by the end of the year," Marie said.
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