Indonesia beefs up its tourism plan to attract more domestic and foreign visitors for 2017. According to the December conference, the government has specified that the industry must 'increase international arrivals to 15 million,' - a 25 percent increase than the 2016 statistics.

The country's goal will provide at least 13 percent share to national GDP and be able to generate 12 million employments to locals. The following achievements will boost Indonesia's competitiveness from a rank of 50 to rank no. 40 in the World Competitive Tourism Index.

In its press release, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya announced, "Remember, that exceptional results can only be achieved through extraordinary actions.'' He called on to citizens to follow the 3S in their corporate tourism culture - Solid cooperation and coordination, Speed actions at all levels, and Spread throughout the archipelago.

Yahya stated that to realize the proposal fully, the country would give emphasis on its three key priority plans - Go Digital, Air Connectivity, and building of 20,000 Homestays in Tourism Villages throughout the nation.

Indonesia's Go Digital program commenced with the launching of Indonesia Tourism Exchange on September 2016 with the creation of a digital marketplace platform open to ecotourism businesses and other stakeholders for buyers to meet sellers. Meanwhile, air flights will be monitored, and streamlining facilities will be upgraded for an efficient and convenient arrival and departure of tourists.

Moreover, to receive and accommodate more local and foreign visitors, Indonesia's tourism plan includes the building of homestays in the country's major destinations. The first quarter of the year will see the construction of 1,000 houses.

Indonesia's top three destinations to drive the tourism sector are Bali, Jakarta, and Riau. The top 10 New Bali destinations for further development are Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung in South Sumatra, Central Java and Yogyakarta with focus on the Borobudur temple, Thousand Islands, Bromo-Tengger-Semeru mountains in East Java, Tanjung Lesung Beach in Banten, Mandalika Beach in Lombok, Labuan Bajo in Flores, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, and Morotai in North Maluku.