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THE MINISTRY of Tourism and Creative Economy held a meeting with the Greek Ambassador to Indonesia, Apostolos Baltas and also the Indonesian Ambassador to Greece, Bebeb A.K.N Djundjunan, at the Sapta Pesona Building, Central Jakarta, Friday (12/10).
The three discussed the potential for bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Greece to strengthen the tourism sector and the creative economy of the two countries, in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Greece itself has become a tourist destination and a major attraction in Europe since the 1970s, because it has a rich culture and history, making it a leading tourist product. Likewise with Indonesia, which is also rich in customs, a culture that is thick with local wisdom, and a capable creative economy
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indonesian government through the Ministry of Tourism was making optimal efforts to revitalize the tourism and creative economy sectors, so that job opportunities would be opened again.
Meanwhile, during the Greek pandemic or what is often called Greece, it has quite a lot of tourists. In a month, approximately 2 million tourists visit Greece.
With bilateral cooperation, it is hoped that the Greeks can share their best practices to attract tourists. And both countries can draw up future action plans, both in organizing events, joining promotions, to capacity building.
“Thank you, Ambassador, for visiting. I am very impressed with the tourism sector in Greece. How Greece can attract up to 30 million tourists in a year. And even during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are approximately 2 million tourists who come in a month. Of course, this is amazing. We look forward to continuing in a relationship on tourism and creative economy and having a plan of action,” said Minister Sandiaga.
“And I also want to welcome Greek tourists to come to Indonesia, especially to enjoy exotic places, eco-tourism and hopefully we can also hold events in Greece that support the local creative economy sector in the field of music or performing arts. Hopefully we can establish closer bilateral cooperation,” he said.
The Greek Ambassador to Indonesia, Apostolos Baltas welcomed the bilateral cooperation plan between Indonesia and Greece. According to him, this cooperation has the potential to bring Greek tourists to Indonesia, and vice versa.
“We are very confident that the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the tourism industry and the creative economy are very good. Of course, I will try to give my best in carrying out this bilateral cooperation,” he stated.
Likewise, the Indonesian Ambassador to Greece, Bebeb A.K.N Djundjunan, also expressed his appreciation. According to him, this is a strategic step in reviving the tourism sector and creative economy between the two countries. Indonesia itself has a variety of quality local events, and deserves to be displayed in Greece.
“I think this is the right moment for the three of us to work together. The hope is that the two countries can collaborate more in the future in the fields of tourism and the creative economy,” Bebeb concluded. [traveltext.id]
