NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Many foreign people are more accustomed to mention Bali as a favourite tourism destination in tropical countries, without knowing that it is part of Indonesia. The Government of Indonesia is now focusing attention on 5 super priority destinations, which are Borobudur Temple, Lake Toba, Mandalika, Raja Ampat, and Likupang. Malang has been a suggested tourism destination for niche markets who like cool breeze air in the middle of a tropical country like Indonesia. Malang faces rough competition from the five government priority destinations in terms of infrastructure. Building infrastructure needs a long time to be significantly noticed. For example, Mandalika lacks sufficient transportation which is a dilemma when international racing competition is held, and Raja Ampat is still known as an expensive destination that makes domestic tourists reluctant to visit. With these disadvantages that face the alternative tourist destinations within the country, Malang, if well promoted, could be publicised enough to attract attention to both the government and international tourists.