Erick: The construction of Benoa Bay Port encourages maritime tourism
Source: ANTARA News
Date: 14 August 2020
BUMN Minister Erick Thohir said that the construction of the Benoa Bay Port in Bali is to encourage tourism as well as the maritime economy.
"There is Pelindo III, where we want to ensure Bali becomes a hub for national tourism. So far, if we look at aviation, it has been very good, but maritime tourism is still lagging," said Minister Erick in a press conference for the 2021 State Budget Bill and Financial Notes in Jakarta, Friday.
He said that one of Pelindo III's tasks was to build Benoa Harbor to connect tourism in Bali with Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.
"We can see that yesterday, which was agreed with many ministries, we will build Benoa Harbor into a tourism port which can also increase maritime economic growth," he said. Originally, Pelindo III received an allocation of National Capital Participation (PMN) funds of Rp 1.2 trillion.
Erick added that another State-owned enterprise (BUMN) that also had the task of developing tourism, namely PT Pembangunan Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero). PMN fund allocation for Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is Rp 500 billion.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo in his speech delivering the 2021 State Budget Bill and Financial Notes at the People's Representative Council of Indonesia (DPR-RI) Plenary Session for the 2020-2021 Session Year said that the government has budgeted Rp 14.4 trillion for tourism development in 2021 to encourage economic recovery in the tourism sector.
He conveyed that tourism development policies include the development of priority destinations to increase promotion and private involvement.
"The policy is carried out through the restoration of tourism, with the development of destinations in the five areas of Lake Toba, Borobudur, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo and Likupang," he said.
