Surabaya legislator suggests integrated tourism-transportation system

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - Surabaya's Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) legislator William Wirakusuma suggested the Surabaya government to have an integrated transportation system in place to support the tourism sector to expedite economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"On the development plan's meeting, it was agreed that tourism accessibility will be a priority in supporting economic recovery," Wirakusuma stated here on Tuesday.

The plan should be bolstered through cross-functional programs of tourism and transportation, he noted.

However, Wirakusuma had proposed the plan in the discussion of the General Budget Policy and the Provisional Budget Priority (KUA-PPAS) for the 2022 Surabaya regional state budget held in the end of last September.

Wirakusuma pointed to a drastic decline in the number of visits to tourist attractions in Surabaya on account of the pandemic. In 2019, some 6.5 million visitors were recorded in 20 main tourist attractions in Surabaya. Meanwhile, the number of visitors continued to decline to around 1.7 million and 500 thousand in 2020 and 2021.

So far, Surabaya Zoo (KBS), Sunan Ampel Religious Area, and Kenjeran Park were the most visited tourist attractions, with available access to public transportation.

Wirakusuma suggested that if other tourist attractions were to be provided access to public transportation, then he believes that the number of visitors will also increase.

"Tourists from outer Surabaya can use the Suroboyo Bus access to the stations. We have to simplify access for tourists," Wirakusuma remarked.

Along with the declining cases of COVID-19 in the last two months, several tourist attractions were planned to be opened in a limited manner, as tourism is an important sector to have a multiplier effect on the economy.

In addition to contributing to regional income, tourism is also an economic driver for hospitality, entertainment, MSME , and souvenir businesses. Hence, recovery of the tourism sector is a priority in reviving the economy, according to Wirakusuma.

The Surabaya city government has striven to develop new tourism objects, such as mangroves, water reservoirs, and water tourism attractions. The government has also planned to start a medical tour as a part of medical tourism next month.

"I suggest that the plan to develop new tourist attractions must be accompanied by improving transportation access to yield optimal results," Wirakusuma added. (*)