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THE Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment said the Kingdom of the Netherlands had expressed its commitment to assist the development of Indonesian tourism.
According to the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said
I asked King Willem to help us, by sending some of his tourism practitioners to train us to develop our tourism spots. There is no need for financial assistance, but we need experts in the field of tourism to train young people here to develop this sector in terms of cleanliness, educate them in serving tourists, making a place more attractive to tourists.
This was conveyed by Luhut after receiving the visit of King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti from the Netherlands at the Del Institute of Technology campus in Lagu Boti, North Sumatra.
Luhut who was accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Wishnutama invited the Royal Dutch couple to tour the Del Institute of Technology complex.
“From the discussion, an idea to open a direct flight from Amsterdam to Medan arose so that the tourists could continue their journey,” he said.
Luhut believes that way will bring more tourists from the Netherlands to Indonesia, especially North Sumatra. Furthermore, the two parties agreed to discuss further talks next week through a conference call.
During the visit, the King and Queen of the Netherlands also had the opportunity to meet face to face with tourism practitioners who were holding a seminar. Ratu Maxima said the importance of capacity building in the tourism industry.
“Capacity building (the process of getting, improving and maintaining skills, knowledge and equipment to improve competence) is very much needed if you want to have a sustainable tourism business. A concept that in addition to providing economic benefits also contributes to conservation activities,” Ratu told a participant seminar.
During their daily visit to Toba, the royal couple also visited the Siambat Dalan Village / Lintong Nihuta Village, Eco Village Tourism in Silima Lombu, Samosir, then Parapat, before leaving Indonesia. [antaranews]
