Klojen (malangkota.go.id) – As an effort to increase tourist visits to Malang City, the Youth, Sports and Tourism Agency (Disporapar) of Malang City has prepared various superior programs in 2023. Disporapar is also optimistic along with the increasing number of tourist visits to Malang City.
Head of the Malang City Disporapar Baihaqi, S.Pd, SE, M.Si revealed that real data on tourist visits to Malang City in 2022 was 13.555.201 tourists recorded through visits to 53 Malang City tourist destinations, including thematic villages, city parks, museums, malls, and other tourist destinations.
According to him, this is very good, because the number of tourist visits is more than the population of Malang City, which is approximately 867.042 people (population in the first semester of 2022-source: http://dispendukcapil.malangkota.go.id/).
"On average, 37.500 tourists come to Malang City every day. If each tourist spends IDR 100.000 per day, then the money circulating from tourists in Malang City every day is around IDR 375.000.000 per day," explained Baihaqi, Monday (9/1/2023).
This great potential must be captured and continuously developed, so that the welfare of the people in Malang City increases along with the increase in economic income. "Tourism is now the country's most superior and main foreign exchange prima donna replacing foreign exchange from mining and energy. The tourism potential in Malang City is extraordinary," said Baihaqi.
Added to the number of students who are studying in Malang City which is approximately 400.000 students. If it can be managed well, as long as it is given a commitment to order, comfort, facilities, conditions, and so on, then the economy of the people of Malang City will definitely run and increase.
Moreover, he said that in 2023 there will be many big events in Malang City, such as Proliga, and this month there is the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) which is scheduled to be held at the Bima Sakti Sports Hall. Baihaqi said that for Proliga which will be held at the Ken Arok Sports Hall on February 8-12, they will definitely need infrastructure, food, lodging, shopping, and others.
In anticipation of readiness, the big homework is mainly the parking problem, because there are many complaints from travel agents and tour guides who visit Malang City. "Malang City is considered to often reject fortune, because when tourists come by bus and want to see Alun-Alun Merdeka, Kayoetangan Tourism Area, shopping, but they are hampered by parking lots that are still not ready for large vehicles," he explained.
In addition, Baihaqi explained, the awareness of the people of Malang City must be increased and provide an understanding that Malang City is a Tourist City. "Whether it is in Kayoetangan, Kampung Warna-Warni, or other tourist areas in Malang City, they must continue to be maintained and looked after," he added.
Maintaining what is currently available is already extraordinary. The UMKM must be improved, the culinary tourism must also be kept clean, the price must also be friendly. "Don't let anyone set an unreasonable price, because tourists will bring a multi-complex impression. The culinary in Malang City is delicious, cheap, the people are kind and pleasant," Baihaqi said bluntly.
No less important is the commitment of the local government, where the synergy of all related regional apparatuses such as the Environmental Service, Transportation Service, and Tourism Service is very necessary. "How tourism development must be sustainable. If it is sustainable, whoever the regional head is, tourism in Malang City will continue to run well," he concluded. (cah/yon)
