Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, March 16 (Antaranews Kalbar) - Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Rusdi Kirana emphasized that it was time for Indonesia and Malaysia to collaborate in order to attract tourists from other countries.
"We want to develop and expand the tourism sector by inviting tourists from other countries to visit Indonesia and Malaysia," the ambassador stated here on Friday.
Kirana noted that China was one of the potential countries to boost the number of tourist arrivals in Indonesia and Malaysia.
"We can conduct promotions together. We can attract tourists to Indonesia and then they can visit Malaysia or vice versa. With such a scheme in place, tourists will be able to avail more benefits, as they can travel to two destinations at a cheaper cost. The cost to travel from China to Malaysia or to Indonesia only is high, but if the trip is from China to Indonesia and to Malaysia or vice versa, then the cost will be cheaper," he explained.
Kirana expressed belief that the tourism sector has a broad impact that should be optimally managed.
"If the tourism sector is well-managed, then transportation and accommodation services; micro, small, medium enterprises; and the people`s economy would receive a boost," he explained.
According to Kirana, Wings Air flights operating on the route from Pontianak, West Kalimantan, to Miri will boost the development of tourism in both areas.
"Connectivity and cooperation between both countries and regions will certainly be well-established. The mobility of people and goods will be greatly enhanced through the connectivity," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia Lee Kim Shin noted that the Pontianak-Miri flight route could strengthen connectivity between the two regions.
"We hope the Pontianak-Miri flight route would establish links between Sarawak and Kalimantan and enhance the tourism and business sectors," he said.
Baca juga: 2,765 foreign tourists visit W Kalimantan in January 2018
Baca juga: Fojekha - BI Gaungkan "Border Tourism" Sambas
