MAKASSAR – The Regional Revenue Agency (Bapenda) of Makassar continues to boost the increase of regional original revenue (PAD) through the tourism sector.
Head of the Regional Tax Division Ambar Sallatu said the increase in tourist visits to Makassar as the Waterfront Festival City has been a concern. The role of tourism is considered important as it has made several activities that can increase PAD in the city.
“There is a relationship between increased tourism visits and increased revenue. What is the keyword? Makassar is expected to be a magnet and power that continues to be improved,” said Ambar as quoted on Tuesday (27/8/2024).
The increase in PAD, according to him, cannot be separated from the role of all parties involved. Including entertainment events for the community that have continued to occur in recent weeks.
“According to our data report, the presence of entertainment events makes hotel occupancy in Makassar full and restaurant turnover increases,” he explained.
“And this must be maintained in relation to business. The Makassar City Government through Tourism Office (Dispar) and Bapenda are very instrumental in helping the entertainment business in Makassar today,” he added.
Therefore, Ambar reminded all parties to provide the best service for tourists. It includes Bapenda whose role gives an ease in paying taxes.
“In Bapenda’s perspective, maintaining a good environment for tourist visits is by providing convenience or ease of tax payment for entertainment businesses. It will make the entertainment business in Makassar City continue and these will welcome more tourists from outside Makassar which will increase the PAD,” he concluded.
BIG CONTRIBUTION OF PHRI SOUTH SULAWESI
Head of Promotion and Marketing of Dispar Makassar Yulianti said that the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of South Sulawesi and the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) of South Sulawesi participated in supporting the tourism sector to contribute to increasing PAD.
This can be realized with the efforts of Dispar Makassar which provides space for hotel and travel industry businesses to conduct promotions in several regions.
They are considered to have successfully gained mode tourists through Makassar Direct Sale (MDS) and Makassar Travel Fair (MTF) activities.
Some of the areas that have been targeted are Surabaya, Bali, Jakarta, Balikpapan, Semarang and Kendari. It will also go to Papua with PHRI and ASITA.
“It has an effect on the PAD by involving the industrial sector (hospitality and travel) as well as the promotion of Kota Makan Enak (City of Good Eats). It is so wise of the mayor to say that Makassar is Kota Makan Enak,” said Yulianti as quoted by rakyatsulsel.co on Friday (9/8/2024).
It is reported that the tourism sector contributed 25.59 per cent or IDR 401.3 billion to the 2023 PAD of Makassar City. This value is almost perfect from the revenue target given of IDR 412 billion.
All partners present, according to her, have explained their strategies to help the Makassar City Government pursue the Rp2 trillion PAD target.
“Insha Allah, all sectors have known the steps we are trying to build in the future. It includes inviting outsiders from other regions coming to Makassar City,” she said.
This year, she continued, the tourism sector is expected to contribute IDR 511 billion in PAD to reach the target of IDR 2 trillion.
Chairman of PHRI South Sulawesi Anggiat Sinaga said that the hotel occupancy in Makassar has increased every year.
The consistency of events organized by the Makassar Tourism Office has encouraged more people to come to the city.
In addition, there is a trust value from national and international event organizers in Makassar through F8.
It is reported that hotel occupancy during 2023 reached around 65 per cent. This figure will move further in 2024 towards 68 to 70 per cent.
“We hope this year will be better than 2023,” he said.
