Wakatobi`s local children have ample opportunities to take part in improving the capacity ..."
Wangi-Wangi (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of Tourism has launched a diving certification program for business managers and instructors in Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, according to Tourism Minister Arief Yahya.

Yahya remarked here on Monday that the number of human resource managers involved in the field of business tourism and diving instructors in Wakatobi should be increased.

"Wakatobi has been designated as a primary national tourist destination; hence, the quality and capacity of tourism business managers and diving instructors must be improved, and one breakthrough is the certification that will serve as a benchmark," the minister noted.

Business managers and diving instructors are also required to be fluent in foreign languages to ensure smooth interaction with the tourists.

"Wakatobis local children have ample opportunities to take part in improving the capacity of the region as a major tourist destination in Indonesia," he affirmed.

According to Yahya, the growth in the tourism industry will have a positive impact by improving the social welfare and simultaneously reducing the number of unemployed.

The tourism minister has also urged the government to start flights on the Jakarta-Wakatobi and Jakarta-Denpasar-Wakatobi routes as soon as possible.

"Wakatobi has been established as one of the 10 major tourist destinations in Indonesia, and therefore, the government is expected to start regular scheduled flight services connecting Jakarta to Wakatobi and Jakarta-Denpasar-Wakatobi," the minister remarked.

Further, he emphasized that the central and local governments as well as the local community should support the establishment of Wakatobi as one of the 10 major tourist destinations in the country.

Yahya affirmed that the establishment of a network of inter-regional flights was necessary to support tourist visits to Wakatobi and other destinations in Indonesia.

"Scheduled flight services on the Jakarta-Wakatobi and Jakarta-Denpasar-Wakatobi routes are important to ensure the movement of travelers from one area to another," he added.
(Uu.O001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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