Action needed to lure 10 million Chinese tourists to Indonesia

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/17/action-needed-to-lure-10-m…

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This article explains that Indonesia hopes to “attract 10 million tourists” from China by 2019.

This is interesting in two ways – it reveals how much of an economic superpower China is today and how Indonesia hopes to capitalize on China’s rise. The article also reveals that Indonesia has not been a top tourist destination for China thus far, and I wonder how its history of discrimination against Chinese-Indonesians has affected China’s consciousness of Indonesia. Are Chinese tourists wary of violence or discrimination if they visit Indonesia? How do actual Indonesians treat and perceive Chinese tourists in popular destinations?

The article states that most Chinese tourists visit Jakarta and Bali, but Indonesian authorities are hoping to improve connectivity to other destinations in Indonesia. A quotation by the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) chairman elucidates that Indonesia needs to “sell” the idea of visiting it to China more. While the article is mostly factual, I wonder what aspects of its country Indonesia would market to China. Would it be ecotourism? Or would Indonesia market its heritage and history? While tourist dollars would improve the standard of living, I wonder how the culture in emerging tourist destinations would change if Indonesia realizes its aim of attracting Chinese tourists.

There is also a perception that Chinese tourists desire ‘comfort’ when they travel – such as having Chinese tour guides, Chinese food, and luxurious accommodation. Would Indonesia then be able to attract tourists to less remote areas for ecotourism/adventure tourism? It would be interesting to investigate the kind of jobs created due to Chinese tourism and whether tourism would spur the migration of rural people to tourist hotspots for economic opportunities.