"We will utilize the existence of educational institutions in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries," Tourism Minister Arief Yahya said here on Tuesday.
The tourism minister hoped that the syllabus would focus on the development of maritime tourism in the country.
He also hoped that the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) could be involved in formulating a program of study in terms of innovation and creativity development.
Meanwhile, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti stated that European countries develop their lands through tourism.
"Such efforts can also be taken by Indonesia to develop maritime tourism," the minister added.
She also highlighted the unhygienic conditions prevailing in fishing harbors. Therefore, the Ministry of Tourism can also help improve the cleanliness of the port.
She also stressed the importance of changing the paradigm and attitudes, as part of the efforts to develop the maritime tourism in Indonesia.
"Domestic and foreign tourists have expressed interest in maritime tourism in the country," she remarked.
Earlier, the government was also expected to maximize the potential of maritime tourism in sea and coastal areas in an effort to optimize the management of marine resources and fisheries in the country.
"The Commission IV continues to encourage the government to maximize the potential of maritime tourism in coastal areas," a member of Commission IV Andi Akmal Pasluddin said.
He noted that Indonesia, with 13.466 islands and 5.8 million square kilometers of sea, had huge potential to boost the economic activity of coastal communities.
"There are 10.660 coastal villages scattered around 300 districts in the country," he noted.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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