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DEPUTY Minister of Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, believes that people who work in the tourism industry can be called foreign exchange heroes who contribute to state income.
“I say friends who work in the tourism industry are part of the foreign exchange heroes. Because tourism brings in foreign exchange, yes, it can also strengthen our domestic foreign exchange reserves,” said Ni Luh after attending the NHI Family Funwalk event in Jakarta, Sunday (11/08), 2026.
When visiting various tourist destinations, Ni Luh saw firsthand the struggle of tourism industry players in developing tourism potential in their area together with the surrounding community, one of which was in a tourist village.
Therefore, she considers all parties who work, develop destinations, and hotel workers to be worthy of being called national heroes.
According to her, the meaning of hero today does not only refer to warriors who fought on the battlefield for independence.
“But we can also broaden our perspective, seeing that people who work in the tourism sector are also heroes for this nation,” she said.
Ni Luh added that the Ministry of Tourism awarded an award called “Local Hero in Tourism” at the Wonderful Indonesia Awards to honor the dedication of people who contribute to developing the tourism sector in the region.
In line with Ni Luh, public figure and General Chair of the NHI Bandung Alumni Association, Tantowi Yahya, also defines today’s heroes as people who do good and bring benefits to the benefit of many people.
He stated that heroes in the modern era no longer take up weapons to fight physically, but are figures who fight against various social challenges in society.
“Fight against poverty, fight against ignorance, fight against backwardness. If there is a figure who stands out and is recognized by society, he is a hero,” he affirmed.
The NHI Family Funwalk activity, which was initiated by the NHI Bandung Alumni Association, takes its starting and ending points at the Sapta Pesona Building, Ministry of Tourism.
Covering a 4.6-kilometer route through the HI Roundabout area, this event attracted the participation of around 1,000 participants. NHI Family Funwalk also presents a bazaar area filled with 22 alumni-assisted MSMEs. Seeing the success of holding the NHI Family Funwalk in Jakarta, is targeting similar events to be held in other cities.
“God willing, we will do it next month in Bali and follow in Bandung. “After we make this and this is good, we can copy and paste it in other cities,” said Tantowi.
He also invited NHI Bandung alumni spread throughout Indonesia to initiate and participate in the NHI Family Funwalk event in their respective areas. Carrying the concept of “Funwalk with a Purpose”, the organizers collaborated with the Indonesian Lions Club, the Ministry of Health, and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to hold environmental care actions through collecting plastic bottles, donating reading books, and providing free health check-up services for participants. [antaranews]
