ER
THE Ministry of Tourism through the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Agency Wishnutama Kusubandio stressed the importance of cleanliness of a tourism destination as an effort to give a good impression and comfort for tourists.
Wishnutama Kusubandio in a meeting to prepare for the arrival of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima from the Netherlands who will visit Lake Toba on March 13, 2020, said that cleanliness in one destination is a matter that must be considered besides arranging the destination itself. That way, the attractions that Indonesia has which are known for its natural, cultural and community wealth will really give a good impression to tourists.
Including for the King and Queen of the Netherlands who will visit Lake Toba on the sidelines of his state visit to Indonesia on 9 to 13 March 2020.
“A destination that might be ordinary, but when the place is clean, the toilet is good, safe and comfortable, it will leave a deep impression. So don’t be half-hearted making fun, because first impressions are important,” Wishnutama said.
Based on data from the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2019, of the 14 pillars that are an assessment of Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness, there are three pillars which are positioned in over 100 of 141 countries and should be a concern. Namely environmental sustainability, tourist service infrastructure, and health and hygiene where cleanliness is included.
“I have been to Thailand and there is a public market, a market like ours. But the place is clean, the toilet is clean, so it is good. We enjoy enjoying it, so one focus that must be considered is cleanliness,” Wishnutama said.
After holding a preparatory meeting chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Wishnutama together with the group visited locations that would later be visited by the King and Queen of the Netherlands including Singgolom Hill, Adat Siambat Dalam Village, and Balige Harbor.
In the planned arrival later, the King and Queen of the Netherlands group numbered more than 200 people consisting of 4 ministers, business people, and journalists. The presence of the Dutch King and Queen’s entourage must be utilized optimally because it will be a good promotion for Indonesian tourism, especially Lake Toba. Besides Lake Toba, the group will also visit Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Central Kalimantan.
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, on the same occasion stressed that all parties must take their role in encouraging tourism. He asked the regional government to really pay attention to everything that needed to be prepared related to the presence of the King and Queen of the Netherlands.
“I want everything done neatly, controlled so that the standardization is good,” said Luhut Binsar Panjaitan.
As for the development of the Tourism Village on Lake Toba, Luhut asked from the 10 proposed villages, see which ones really had the potential and were ready to be developed. Starting from the attractions, amenities, accessibility and readiness of the community. [traveltext.id]
