Indonesia Lags Behind in ASEAN: Transport and Security Concerns

During a meeting at the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VII, member Bambang Haryo Soekartono highlighted the lack of integration in transport systems that negatively impact the country’s tourism sector compared to its ASEAN neighbors. While Thailand and Malaysia have well-connected transport systems encompassing air, land, and sea, Indonesia’s tourism suffers from this lack of integration. Travel from airports to hotels often relies on personal transport rather than developed public transport networks. In addition, safety is another significant issue reducing Indonesia’s appeal to foreign tourists. Many tourist bus drivers lack the necessary qualifications, sometimes endangering passengers’ safety. Soekartono suggests that Indonesia should consider establishing specialized tourist police units, similar to those in other regional countries. Such measures could potentially increase the number of international visitors.