The Center for Digital Society (CfDS) at UGM joined forces with Traveloka to delve into the pressing need to revitalize the tourism sector through digital innovation.
The discourse, presented as part of the DigiTalk #60 event, boasted a panel of speakers, including Muhammad Sidiq Wicaksono (lecturer in Tourism Business, UGM Vocational College), Widyasari Listyowulan (Vice President, Public Policy & Government Relations Traveloka), and Wahyu Wikan Trispratiwi (Vice Secretary of the Yogyakarta Hotel and Restaurant Association).
The overarching theme assumes paramount significance, particularly in light of the swift evolution of digital tourism in Indonesia. Leveraging technology to showcase destinations, facilitate online bookings, and offer virtual experiences has become the hallmark of digital tourism.
Rejuvenating this digital frontier is not merely about boosting global competitiveness; it’s about expanding market reach and delivering more interconnected tourist experiences.
Muhammad Sidiq Wicaksono perceives the surge of digital tourism as a cornerstone of the digital economy. He envisions that the tourism sector can undergo a renaissance through digitization, elevating efficiency and accessibility to unprecedented levels.
“Tourism seamlessly integrated into the digital ecosystem enables online bookings, offering consumers a virtual experience,” he passionately shared on Thursday (Dec. 14).
Wicaksono underscores that implementing digital tourism must harmoniously align with fair income distribution for local communities while upholding community participation, cultural diversity, and environmental preservation.
For him, the ultimate goal of digital tourism, as a modern-day tourism manifestation, is to couple digitization with sustainability.
Addressing the call for the revitalization of the tourism sector, Widyasari Listyowulan, as the Vice President of Public Policy & Government Relations at Traveloka, cast Traveloka as a key player in the travel platform arena.
It serves as an instrumental force, assisting businesses in the tourism industry in promoting their offerings to a broader audience, thereby playing a pivotal role in propelling Indonesia’s tourism growth.
In 2022, Indonesia clinched the 32nd position in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI), with the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP ascending to an impressive 3.6 percent.
Traveloka’s impact is staggering, contributing an average of 0.22 percent annually to the GDP, generating gross value added, and bolstering the livelihoods of over 1.5 million workers.
“Through a myriad of products and services, Traveloka is committed to fostering inclusion and sustainability, positioning itself as a linchpin in the positive metamorphosis of Indonesia’s tourism sector and creative economy,” she expounded.
Wahyu Wikan Trispratiwi, a seasoned practitioner in the tourism domain, especially within the hotel and restaurant sector, asserted that the hospitality industry constitutes an integral facet of the broader tourism landscape.
Trispratiwi wholeheartedly supports the burgeoning digitalization movement in tourism, encompassing providing online travel agent (OTA) services.
The digitalization of tourism, marked by technological advancements such as MetaSearch sites, contactless payments, mobile check-ins, and cloud-based property management systems (PMS), bears fruit in terms of heightened operational efficiency, guest safety, and overall comfort.
By embracing innovation and staying attuned to technological trends, the hospitality sector can sustain competitiveness and optimize revenue streams, offering unparalleled experiences to a diverse array of guests.
“Nevertheless, the digitalization of the tourism sector does pose challenges, including privacy concerns, cybersecurity, and the digital access divide, all of which demand swift mitigation,” she cautioned.
Author: Agung Nugroho