Indonesia, Malaysia ink tourism cooperation deal hinh anh 1Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno during a working visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 17, 2023. (Photo: ANTARA)

Jakarta, March 20 (VNA) - Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno on March 20 said he expects the collaboration between tourism associations of his country and Malaysia will bolster the tourism sector of both nations.

Sandiaga hailed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indonesia Tours & Travel Association (ASTINDO) and the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia recently.

In a statement, he highlighted that this collaboration is expected to improve the creative economy sector in Indonesia, especially culinary, because a majority of Malaysian tourists visiting Indonesia are for the culinary tours.

The minister hoped that the cooperation will increase the number of Malaysian tourists to Indonesia, towards the goal of 7.4 million foreign tourists this year.

The MoU will be used to support national movement programmes - the Proud to Travel in Indonesia (BBWI) and Indonesia Spice Up the World (ISUTW).

Malaysia is one of the countries that contribute the highest numbers of tourists to Indonesia. Apart from supporting foreign tourist visits, accelerating tourism cooperation can contribute to Indonesia's foreign exchange earnings and GDP./.

VNA