ER
THE MINISTRY of Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) revealed that the total investment realization in Labuan Bajo in the first quarter of 2024 nearly reached IDR570 billion and is expected to continue to increase along with the presence of supporting access in the region.
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, who was present online at the “Networking Dinner and Cultural Performance” at TMII, Jakarta, Sunday (08/18), 2024, said that since 2020, Labuan Bajo, East Nusatenggara (NTT), as a super priority tourism destination has received significant investment, especially for infrastructure and tourism development.
“This puts Labuan Bajo in the fourth position with the highest investment realization value among 10 Priority Tourism Destinations. In 2023, the total investment realization value in Labuan Bajo, NTT, reached IDR5.2 trillion. And this makes the tourism sector one of the largest contributors among the 15 investment sectors in NTT,” said Sandiaga.
In the near future, Sandiaga revealed that there will be an international flight route in NTT, namely the inaugural flight of Air Asia on September 3, 2024 with the route Kuala Lumpur-Labuan Bajo. It is hoped that other international routes, such as from Australia and Singapore, will soon follow.
“This achievement proves that NTT is increasingly pursuing economic growth that contributes to government and regional revenues and the creation of broader employment opportunities. And the realization of a progressive NTT requires the cooperation of all stakeholders, including the NTT diaspora in Jakarta and wherever they are,” said Sandiaga.
The activity under the theme “From Culture to Capital Investing in the Future for Better NTT” in conjunction with the NTT Cultural Performance is expected to explore various potentials, challenges and issues that need to be addressed in an effort to create a more conducive investment environment in NTT.
This discussion will also serve as a platform to build networks and collaborations among stakeholders, both government, industry players, and investors, and become a common space, especially for the NTT diaspora, to share information on economic conditions, regulations, and business opportunities. In addition to increasing investor confidence in the stability and prospects of investing in NTT.
Meanwhile, one of the speakers, member of Commission X of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Andreas Hugo Pareira, said that simple things like packaging palm sugar and coffee in sachets need to be started and encouraged.
“My friends at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy are also currently working hard to help and encourage the development and improvement of creative economy and tourism products in Labuan Bajo and Flores in particular,” Andreas said.
So far, most people know Labuan Bajo. According to Andreas, all parties need to think together about how to shift tourist movements to other destinations in Flores and East Nusa Tenggara. “Because our NTT is beautiful, the destinations are known and the products can also be known,” Andreas concluded. [traveltext.id]
