DESTINATION development and human resources as well as community empowerment will be the focus of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy in an effort to accelerate the development of 5 Super Priority Tourism Destinations (SPTD) next year.
Apart from, of course, also in the scope of industrial development and investment, promotion development, product development and events, as well as the development of creative economy products which are expected to drive the economy by opening up wider employment opportunities.
This was conveyed by the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno online at the “National Coordination Meeting for the Acceleration of Development of Five Super Priority Tourism Destinations in 2021” which was held by the Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Wednesday (12/01).
“We will carry out these future developments through optimal cooperation and collaboration with pentahelix elements. We will invite educational institutions, business actors, communities, local governments, and the media. We thank the local governments who have focused on presenting policies that side with tourism and the creative economy,” said Sandiaga.
For destination development, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy will focus on developing and strengthening attractions, accessibility, amenities, and ancillary. It is realized through various programs such as the development of tourist destinations, sustainable tourism certification, revitalization of facilities in tourist destinations, and others.
Likewise for the development and capacity building of human resources and community empowerment. This will be carried out with programs such as tourism competency certification, creative creative human resources assistance, independent entrepreneurs, as well as tourist village human resource assistance.
“We also develop creative economy with several programs such as Buy Local Creative. Yesterday (program) we did this with Lake Toba Creative Buy, and it was proven to be able to triple the sales of creative economy products for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) players in Lake Toba. We are developing readiness creative economy products, of course, in terms of promotion, production and also in terms of quality. Likewise, regional events will continue to be strengthened,” he remarked.
The Tourism’s Ministry budget which is prepared to accelerate the development of five Super Priority Tourism Destinations (SPTD) next year is IDR351.6 billion. This number increased by 74.3% from the 2021 budget year which was IDR201.7 billion.
“The allocation of budget support for 2022 has been mapped out for 5 super priority destinations and we will of course optimize this,” Sandiaga underlined.
On that occasion, Sandiaga Uno also hoped for support from relevant ministries/institutions for the tourism sector and the creative economy so as to increase the index of Indonesia’s tourism competitiveness. This is particularly the case for pillars with a low level of competitiveness. Such as Environment Sustainability, Health and Hygiene, Tourist Service Infrastructure, Safety and Security, ICT Readiness and Ground and Port Infrastructure.
Although, continued Sandiaga, currently there has been a lot of support from the relevant ministries/institutions. I have seen how active development is currently being carried out. Let’s create 5 super priority tourism destinations of really high quality with full totality.
Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, on the occasion said the National Coordination Meeting was held to discuss a number of main issues that were the focus of the government to be resolved.
He said, based on the results of the 2020 National Coordination Meeting for the Development of Five DPSPs, 101 issues had been agreed to be resolved.
“In its development, as many as 14 percent of issues have been resolved, 55% of issues are in progress, 18 percent of issues are still under discussion, and 13% of issues are pending completion,” said Luhut.
In general, Luhut added, there are three main factors that cause the resolution of these issues cannot be carried out in 2021. Among them are due to land that has not been clean and clear, budget refocusing for handling COVID-19, and work carried out on a multi-year basis.
“The focus of development in 2022 is on resolving issues that are still under discussion, on hold, and continuing the development stage, namely management. Therefore, the 2022 program should focus on increasing human resources, encouraging investment, and developing or managing blue, green, and green principles. and a circular economy,” Luhut concluded. [traveltext.id]