"We envision Raja Ampat continuing its trajectory as a sustainable tourism destination, renowned globally for its exceptional marine biodiversity," Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana stated to ANTARA on Sunday.
The United States stands as a prominent source of international tourism for Indonesia, ranking eighth among all source countries and fifth among nations outside the ASEAN region.
Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) indicates that 188,764 U.S. tourists visited Indonesia in 2022. This figure has demonstrated a significant upward trend, reaching 384,835 arrivals from January to November 2024.
"We are confident that this positive trajectory will continue, with foreign tourist arrivals surpassing the pre-pandemic record of 457,832 arrivals," Widiyanti remarked.
The Ministry of Tourism will capitalize on this momentum to amplify Raja Ampat's global appeal.
Promotional efforts will not only showcase the region's awe-inspiring ecosystems and natural beauty but also spotlight the unique cultural heritage and local wisdom of its inhabitants.
The ministry will also emphasize the diverse range of activities available to visitors, including snorkeling and diving, she said.
Comprising over 1,500 islands and islets, Raja Ampat is often celebrated as "The Last Paradise on Earth."
This enchanting archipelago is renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity, boasting approximately 1,600 species of fish and an astonishing 75 percent of the world's coral species.
"This accolade reflects the global recognition of the region's successful conservation efforts, which have meticulously preserved the natural splendor of Raja Ampat," Widiyanti stated.
Raja Ampat has been recognized as a must-visit destination in 2025 by the prestigious New York Times.
Its recent designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark is anticipated to further enhance its appeal beyond its renowned marine attractions.
The successful conservation of Raja Ampat aligns perfectly with the emerging trends of regenerative tourism, which prioritize not only the preservation of a destination but also its continuous improvement.
Raja Ampat will also serve as a pivotal location for the implementation of the ministry's flagship programs in 2025, including the Clean Tourism Movement, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of Indonesian tourism by
Related news: Ministry promotes Clean Tourism Movement in eight pilot destinations
Related news: Foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia rise 20 percent in Jan-Nov 2024
Translator: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Indonesia has just become the 10th full member nation of BRICS+, the first nation in South East Asia to gain such membership. The announcement was made, 1st January, by Brazil, currently holding the revolving chair of BRICS+.
Having the world’s fourth largest population (280 million with 165 million of them under 30) and projected soon to be the world’s fourth largest economy, Indonesia clearly will make a significant contribution to the bloc.
The announcement of Indonesia’s full membership was unexpected as it had only recently become a ‘partner member,’ while BRICS+ seemingly had placed a pause on accepting new full members after the reception of Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates last year at the Kazan, Russia summit.
With the admission of Indonesia six of the G20 nations are now members of BRICS+.
Indonesia, which first expressed interest in BRICS in 2010 was offered membership in 2023, an offer not accepted by the previous president, Joko Widodo, but which has been taken up by current president, Prabowo Subianto, he having long declared that intention from 2014.
In formally accepting the invitation, 7th January, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, membership, ‘is a strategic step to improve the collaborations and cooperation with other developing nations, on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and sustainable development. This achievement shows Indonesia’s increasingly active role in global issues and commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation to create a global structure that is more inclusive and fair.’
In welcoming Indonesia to BRICS, the Brazilian Government made clear how it regards the grouping, ‘Indonesia shares with other members a commitment to reforming global governance institutions and contributes positively to deepening South-South cooperation.’
The statements by both governments make clear the goals of BRICS+, composed as it is by nations who have endured colonialism and then Neo-colonialism of the West.
Indonesia is rich in mineral reserves; nickel, bauxite and copper while having the world’s largest gold mine, Grasberg. Increasingly, Indonesia is not just exporting raw materials, the government’s industrialisation policy placing bans on the export of nickel in 2020 and bauxite in 2023, so to develop value added processing industries. The focus is on batteries and EVs, nickel, of which Indonesia holds nearly half the global supply, being key to this. This value adding has largely been achieved by using Chinese state investment and loans, the success of the policy seeing proceeds from nickel soar from $6 billion in 2013 to $30 billion in 2022.
President Prabowo’s administration has set a high growth goal of 8%, That will require diversified trade partnerships and increased foreign investment. BRICS+ membership provides Indonesia with access to markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, that aligning with its strategy to expand non-traditional trade relationships.
Such high GDP growth requires unprecedented investment in infrastructure. Membership of BRICS+ opens avenues for accessing low-cost financing through the BRICS+ New Development Bank, which has prioritised infrastructure development among member nations, while also further deepening partnerships with countries like China, which has significant expertise in infrastructure development. China has clearly demonstrated how infrastructure development leads to rapid economic growth.
Indonesia, by leveraging partnerships within the bloc, can stimulate sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and technology, all essential drivers of GDP growth.
In geo-political strategic terms China is a big winner in the admission of Indonesia to BRICS+. Western strategy has been to constrain China by a series of island bases stretching from Japan though to Diego Garcia. Australia, with its proposed nuclear submarines and U.S. bases is an integral part of this choking of the dragon. The Malacca and Sunda Straits were particularly effective places for this chokehold. The first of these straits will now be bordered by BRICS+ newest member, Indonesia, plus two other partner nations, Thailand and Malaysia, while Indonesia is also likely to more favourably view Chinese access through the Sunda Strait, waters within the Indonesian archipelago. The importance of these shipping lanes is clear in that some 25% of global trade passes through these straits.
Already Indonesia-China relations are close, the two nations last year issuing a statement to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while Prabowo made China his first overseas visit on becoming president. Chinese investment in Indonesia continues to grow, last year reaching $7.4 billion with the new Jakarta-Bandung high speed railway being its flagship.
The announcement of Indonesia’s ascension to the bloc was dealt in a perfunctory manner by Australian mainstream media, seemingly bent on either down-playing, or not understanding, its significance.
The BRICS+ expansion comes at a time, when the Western led order is in crisis, the leader of that world, the U.S. under Donald Trump, expected to retreat into unilateralism.
Often perceived as a counterbalance to the Western dominated G7, BRICS+ has attracted great support, primarily from the Global South. Current ‘partners’ are Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan, while over 30 nations have submitted applications to become BRICS+ partners.
Talk continues of BRICS+ developing BRICS Pay as an alternative to the US dollar, something leading to US President-Elect Donald Trump to threaten 100% tariffs on any countries using such means of payment.
Clearly the continued growth of BRICS+ is viewed by many in the West as a dangerous threat to the ‘rules-based international order, in which they themselves both set and police the rules. That order however, is rapidly changing.
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