Within the city, visitors can also go to religious sites. They need only be mindful of the dress code, which asks that visitors refrain from wearing clothing shorter than knee length. Not far from Freedom Square in the downtown area, Istiqlal Mosque welcomes tourists from all over the world. It is Indonesia's largest mosque. Its modern design, stainless steel latticework, and marble detailing create a serene setting. It can hold tens of thousands of worshippers beneath its enormous dome.
There are also several Buddhist temples in Jarkarta. Vihara Dharma Sakti in Glodok is the oldest and dates back to 1650. Two well-known Christian churches, St. Gregory's Catholic Cathedral and Sion Protestant Church are within walking distance.
Besides cultural and religious sites, Pitana said the capital also has a rich natural landscape. Kepulauan Seribu, also known as Thousand Islands, is a great place to go for people who stay in the capital. It is located in Jakarta Bay in the Java Sea, which is in the northern part of Jakarta, just 30 minutes by boat from the city.
Tourists, especially those on business trips, can spend a day far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Staying in a floating cottage and enjoying the sunshine and delicious seafood offers a different charm from Bali, but the same feeling of enchantment.
Tourism goes digital
In 2014, the Indonesian government launched a project called Go Digital. Under the program, electronic maps were created to give visitors 3D images and information about Indonesia's various tourist spots, such as Borobudur and Raja Ampat.
The initiative was followed up with a visa-free scheme in 2015. The effect has been tremendous, and the number of tourist visits to the country has started to skyrocket. Taking safety issues into consideration, Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism is now developing more mobile technology, such as some apps. According to Pitana, the move serves a dual purpose: creating easier access to information on tourist destinations and boosting visitor safety, as the government's tourism departments will be able to track every visitor and offer immediate help where needed. Also, it can provide some important travel guidelines, such as do's and don'ts in the country, for foreigners.
"[The government] allocated 50 percent of the Ministry's budget for digital marketing, including online media. I have to underline that the conventional way is important, but the digital way is a must," Pitana said.
China as an important market
Five years ago, China was Indonesia's fourth largest customer in tourism. In 2015, China rose to third. According to Pitana, China was Indonesia largest customer in the first half of 2016.
"From January to July, China has become the second largest customer. My target will be making Chinese tourists the most of all countries in Indonesia by the end of this year," said Pitana. "It indicates how important the Chinese market is for Indonesia."
He stressed that building greater awareness among Chinese tourists about the various different sites and interests in Indonesia is important to achieving his goal. "Indonesia is not only Bali. We have Bintan Island in Sumatera; we have Manado and so on," he said.
According to Pitana, the Indonesian government has collaborated with Chinese airlines such as Air China, Hainan Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and China Southern Airlines to provide more connectivity and accessibility for Chinese tourists.
Indonesia is also working toward increasing collaboration with tour operators and travel agencies in China.
"Sometimes airlines cannot fly because they do not have enough passengers, while some travel agencies cannot promote or sell their tourism products because there are no airline seats available," he said. "This is what we call a game of chicken and egg. It is what I try to cut out by working together with airlines and big travel agents."
The strategy also includes promotion through television channels and web-based advertising on platforms like the Chinese web portal baidu.com, travel plan and products provider Ctrip, China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency, and the China News Service.
Pitana welcomes tourists from all over the world to visit Indonesia and witness the beautiful and unique places of interest all over the country, which he said, is the most effective way of getting to know the country and removing misconceptions.
"By your visit to Indonesia, you will see how wonderful Indonesia is with your own eyes," he said.
