The US government is offering technical assistance to improve the quality of environment at tourist locations, especially Bali, which will host the International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Bank Annual Meeting in October 2018 and to welcome the Asian Games 2018 to be held in Jakarta and Palembang, South Sumatra.
Minister Yahya remarked that the waste management process in main tourism destinations, such as Bali, and 10 key destinations need technical assistance from the US.
"The Asian Games in 2018 and the IMF World Bank Annual Meeting in October 2018 will offer the necessary momentum to make Bali clean of trash," Yahya noted.
Minister Yahya emphasized that last year, the number of US tourists to Indonesia had increased to 300 thousand, up by 11.05 percent as compared to 260 thousand visitors in 2015.
"This year, we are expecting to attract 375 thousand tourists, up by 25 percent. It will be surpassing the number of British tourists reaching 300 thousand. The US tourists pick Bali as their favorite destination," Yahya noted.
Meanwhile, Donovan remarked that cooperation in some areas could be forged for developing the tourism sector in Indonesia, especially hotel services, ecotourism, and nature tourism.
The ambassador pointed out that the US government has outlined a management program for solid waste and sea waste disposals.
He affirmed that the cooperation will demonstrate the strategic commitment between the US and Indonesia, as good partners.
The Indonesian tourism ministry is currently preparing six tourism promotional events in the US, the New York Times Travel Show, the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show, the Seatrade Cruise Global, the IMEX America, the DEMA Show, and the Indonesia Sales Mission in USA, among others.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
