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THE INDONESIAN government through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will show active participation in the “ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2024” in Vientiane, Laos from 23 to 27 January 2024.
“Indonesia’s participation in ATF 2024 is an effort to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN member countries and partner countries to encourage growth and create new and quality jobs in the tourism sector,” said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno at the Sapta Pesona Building, Jakarta, Monday (01/15), 2024.
He explained that Indonesia would play a role in developing sustainable tourism in the ASEAN region. Primarily in developing tourist villages as a program that adheres to inclusive and sustainable principles.
ATF 2024 carries the theme “Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future”. Laos as the host wants to show its commitment to contributing more to the community and to the sustainability of tourism in the ASEAN region.
In ATF 2024 there will be a series of meeting agendas, both meetings between tourism ministers from all ASEAN member countries, as well as with partner countries such as ASEAN Plus Three, India, Russia, and ASEAN NTO’s (National Tourism Organization). Apart from that, there was also the launch of Visit Laos 2024, as well as Travex (Travel Exchange) 2024 which is a business platform (B2B) for tourism business actors between ASEAN countries.
Meanwhile, Deputy for Resources and Institutions at the Ministry of Tourism, Martini Paham, explained that in ATF 2024 Indonesia has a strategic role, namely as co-chair for the Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Development Committee. Indonesia will concretely share successes and also share our plans for tourist villages.
In connection with the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan Post 2025, Indonesia is also trying to provide input regarding the values of Blue, Green, and Circular Economy which will have a positive influence on tourism development and the creative economy in ASEAN and globally.
“Indonesia will provide an example related to the application of renewable energy, then also green investment, and what Indonesia has done related to sustainable tourism,” said Diah.
Apart from that, Diah said that Indonesia as the lead country coordinator for The ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP) continues to strive to encourage the existence of a regional secretariat in Indonesia. With the presence of this regional secretariat, it is hoped that it can facilitate the creation of a professional tourism workforce in ASEAN.
Furthermore, Indonesia, which was appointed as chairman of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Visit Years 2023-2025, will also promote 10 provinces in Sumatra and the Riau Islands. This is our joint effort so that we can simultaneously encourage the promotion of Indonesian tourism in the ASEAN context.
Meanwhile, the Director of Marketing Communications at the Ministry of Tourism, Titus Haridjati, explained that Indonesia will participate in Travex (Travel Exchange) which will take place on 24-26 January 2024. The Ministry will bring 13 representatives from tour agents/travel operators to participate in Travex 2024. Where Borobudur is the Destination Super Priority Tourism (DPSP) was chosen as the main theme and Candirejo Tourism Village as the main destination that will be offered to buyers.
Travex 2024 is projected to be attended by around 700 to 1,000 visitors from various groups, including investors. “So the hope is that we can book transactions optimally,” Titus remarked.
ATF was founded in 1981 with 10 ASEAN member countries including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Every year, the implementation of the ATF is rotated among member countries.
In 2023, Indonesia will successfully hold the chairmanship of the ASEAN Tourism Forum held in Yogyakarta. There are lots of new thoughts, including regarding quality and sustainability, as well as tourist villages. And several destinations in Indonesia received awards. At the same time, Indonesia, through the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, had the opportunity to launch “Borobudur Trail Civilization”. [traveltext.id]
