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THE INDONESIA’S Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy invites ASEAN countries to strengthen collaboration to realize the region as a center of global economic growth through tourism.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno in the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 which took place at the Prambanan Temple Courtyard, Yogyakarta, Thursday (02/03), 2023 night, said, ATF as the largest tourism forum in the Southeast Asian region must be able to become a discussion space to reformulate the tourism sector to be more adaptive to the current and future situations.
ASEAN countries must be able to build tourism destinations based on three main foundations namely resilience, security, and sustainability.
“This is in line with the theme of this year’s ATF, ‘A Journey to Wonderful Destinations’, which ignites the spirit of tourism recovery,” Sandiaga said.
In order to achieve this goal, the Sandiaga conveyed three things that can be initiated together. The first is Gercep (fast motion) where the government together with all stakeholders must be able to provide relevant assistance programs to help encourage the revival of the tourism sector and creative economy in all regions. Especially now in the post-pandemic period.
“Such as competency certification and also capacity building which can be the main program. As we have done in (developing) 5 super priority destinations and 10 priority destinations,” Sandiaga said.
Next is Geber (Move Together). Menparekraf Sandiaga believes collaborative action among stakeholders is very important in encouraging the tourism recovery process.
“One example is through the planning and implementation of quality national and international events. This requires the involvement of various sectors including the government, private sector, and other parties,” Sandiaga remarked.
And the last is Gaspol (All Potential Employment). In achieving this, Sandiaga said that his party presents diversification of tourism products through the development of ecotourism, Muslim-friendly tourism, health tourism, and also domestic tour packages.
“We are optimistic that this diversification will not only open up job opportunities but also increase the value-added aspects of our tourism and provide more choices for tourists visiting our region,” Sandiaga noted.
He invited ASEAN countries to continue fruitful regional cooperation and explore better cooperation in the future. Namely in tourism recovery and rebuilding, utilizing digital transformation, and ensuring sustainability issues.
Meanwhile, Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin previously opened the ATF 2023, said that tourism is one of the crucial sectors to restore the economy, create jobs for the community, and make the community resilient and empowered. He hopes that this forum can be a means to produce concrete steps in advancing the tourism sector.
“I really hope that the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 can produce real action. Marked by cooperation between tourism sector leaders in the ASEAN region, to accelerate the revival of the tourism and travel industry in ASEAN, and realize the Travel Exchange 2023,” the Vice President stated.
The Vice President also requested that the organization of international events in ASEAN countries should continue to be increased because the success of organizing international events is one proof of the readiness of ASEAN countries to return to being a magnet for world tourists, and show that ASEAN is able to continue to adapt and compete, towards higher quality tourism in the future.
“We have high hopes that the tourism sector will strengthen the ASEAN region as a region that is stable, peaceful, dignified, upholds human values, and is able to support the stability of the world economy,” the Vice President said.
ATF 2023 will run until February 5, 2023 and is filled with various series of activities. Starting from the meeting of state delegates both at the Ministerial level and NTO (National Tourism Organization), and also Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) which is a business forum for tourism businesses between ASEAN countries.
There will also be additional activities such as Minister’s Breakfast Meeting handled by US-ABC, Minister Business Luncheon organized by CNN, Lao Night as the next leadership delegation event to Laos, post-meeting tour for VIP delegates, ASEAN Awarding Ceremony, and Global Modest Fashion Week.
Participants in the ATF delegate meeting were not only attended by ASEAN countries. But also several partner countries such as ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, Korea, China), India, Russia, and several other international organizations such as UNWTO, PATA, WTTC, ASEANTA, and US-ABC. [traveltext.id]
