Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia has called for stronger tourism and regional connectivity cooperation with Malaysia and Thailand to drive economic growth and competitiveness in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) subregion.
“Through collaboration among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, we are not only building connected destinations, but also creating economic opportunities and delivering tangible benefits for communities,” Indonesian Consul in Songkhla, Thailand, Winardi H. Lucky said in a written statement confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.
Winardi said the call was made during a series of IMT-GT meetings held in Satun, Thailand, on Aug. 3-4, attended by an Indonesian delegation led by the assistant deputy for international institutional relations at the Ministry of Tourism.
The meetings discussed efforts to strengthen tourism across the IMT-GT region, including improving transport connectivity, diversifying tourism destinations, and developing sustainable tourism.
They also addressed the strategic direction of the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint for 2027-2031, which will guide regional cooperation in the coming years.
The Indonesian delegation specifically emphasized the need to advance quality tourism through digital platforms, joint branding, and investment facilitation in the tourism sector.
Winardi said Indonesia’s participation in the forum reflected the government’s commitment to strengthening economic diplomacy through regional cooperation and creating new opportunities for collaboration.
Indonesia also seeks to promote a tourism sector that is increasingly connected, competitive, and sustainable, he added.
According to records from the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla, IMT-GT countries are targeting an average of 50 million international tourist arrivals in 2026.
The tourism sector, cross-border trade, and halal logistics are expected to contribute to a per capita gross domestic product of US$17,895 in the same year.
Winardi said the Indonesian Consulate General in Songkhla would continue supporting various cooperation initiatives within IMT-GT to strengthen ties among Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand and expand economic opportunities for communities in the three countries.
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Translator: Nabil Ihsan, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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