Government Policy Strategies in the Tourism Sector to Increase the Number of International Tourists Visiting Indonesia
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The tourism sector is a strategic pillar of Indonesia's economy, yet its recovery post-pandemic faces a policy dilemma following the revocation of the Visa-Free Visit (BVK) policy for 159 countries in mid-2023. This research examines government policy strategies in the tourism sector to increase the number of international tourists visiting Indonesia, with a particular focus on the dynamics of the Visa-Free Visit Policy (Bebas Visa Kunjungan/BVK). The research employed a qualitative approach through interviews, document analysis, and literature review involving stakeholders from the tourism and immigration sectors. The findings indicate that the BVK policy contributes positively to increasing international tourist arrivals by improving travel accessibility and reducing administrative barriers. However, the policy's revocation was influenced by concerns related to immigration supervision, misuse of residence permits, and national security considerations. The research also reveals differing perspectives between tourism and immigration institutions, which have led to policy disharmony. Furthermore, the results show that visa policy alone is insufficient to increase tourist arrivals and must be supported by destination quality, transportation connectivity, security, and effective tourism promotion. Therefore, this study recommends the implementation of a hybrid visa policy that combines selective visa-free access with digital monitoring systems and strengthened cross-sector collaboration. Such an approach is expected to enhance Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness while maintaining effective immigration control and national security.
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