JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Indonesia and Palestine established a significant bilateral partnership aimed at advancing tourism. The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed by Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, and Palestine’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Naji Atallah Abdalmasih.

The signing took place in Jakarta, marking a notable step in strengthening the tourism ties between the two nations.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the tourism sector. It focuses on enhancing the development and promotion of tourism in both countries. This includes various collaborative efforts such as sharing information, technology, and best practices related to tourism management and promotion.

A key component of the agreement is the exchange of students between Indonesia and Palestine. This initiative aims to provide valuable educational opportunities and practical experience in the tourism field for students from both countries. Such exchanges are expected to build a deeper understanding and stronger professional connections between future tourism leaders.

Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno highlighted the potential benefits of the partnership. He noted that, despite current travel restrictions affecting Palestinian visitors to Indonesia, there remains a significant opportunity for growth in the creative economy. This includes leveraging Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and tourism infrastructure to attract more visitors.

One of the goals of the MoU is to increase Palestinian tourist arrivals to Indonesia. Specific Indonesian destinations, such as Bali and the Borobudur Temple, are targeted to attract tourists from Palestine. Bali, known for its scenic beauty and cultural experiences, and Borobudur, a historic Buddhist site, are seen as major draws for Palestinian visitors.