Banyuwangi, E Java (ANTARA News)- Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati officially opened a seminar on Sustainable Tourism Development, held as part of Voyage to Indonesia program, here, on Wednesday.

Voyage to Indonesia program is organized ahead of the IMF-World Bank (IMF-WB) Annual Meetings to be held in Bali from Oct 12 to 14, 2018.

The seminar was expected to provide a distinguished opportunity for the stakeholders to discuss and exchange views as well as experiences on the economic benefits of the tourism sector, especially in relation to job and wealth creation, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.

At the same time, environmental and natural protection as well as cultural asset management should be at the forefront to ensure the continuous growth of tourism, she noted.

Banyuwangi is unique and has various tourist attractions; therefore, it has been selected to support Bali as the host of the international meeting to be participated in by some 17 thousand delegates from various countries, Indrawati revealed.

She added that the preparations for the implementation of the world`s largest financial meeting, have reached 94 percent. By end of September, the preparations are expected to reach 100 percent, according to the minister.

Among those attending the seminar were Rachmat Witoelar (presidential assistance on climate change affairs), Program Leader of World Bank Yongmei Zhou, Dadang Rizki Ratman (deputy at the tourism ministry), Executive Board Member of Pacific Asia Travel Association Abdulla Ghiyas, and CEO ayojalanjalan.com Muhammad Syafaat.

Banyuwangi District Head Abdullah Azwar Anas expressed his gratitude to the central government for entrusting Banyuwangi to support Bali as the host of the IMF-WB Annual Meetings.

Various facilities and infrastructures leading to tourist destinations in Banyuwangi and in its international airport have been upgraded to welcome participants of the international gathering.

"Insha Allah (God Willing), Banyuwangi will be ready to welcome IMF-WB participants. We hope to receive some 1.5 thousand or 2 thousand delegates. We have many new star-rated hotels, and so the facilities are in place," he pointed out.

Reporting by Masuki M Astro
Editing by Fardah

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Editor: Otniel Tamindael
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