"I laud Nias Pesisir that has organized the VTC series," the minister stated in a press release here on Wednesday.
The contest can turn out to be a promotional event and simultaneously revitalize tourism on Nias Island in the post-pandemic period through creative videos that can be uploaded on various online and offline media platforms, he remarked.
Prabowo also offered personal funding of Rp25 million for the contest winners.
Marine tourism is one of the mainstays of the tourism industry today, according to the minister.
Ecotourism contributed some 35 percent to the nation’s tourism. Marine tourism, in particular, contributed around 2.4 million tourists, he affirmed.
The Indonesian waters measure 5.8 million square kilometers, or some 75 percent of Indonesia's territory
"Indonesia has some 23.9 million hectares of conservation areas, with huge potential for ecosystems and natural resources," he noted.
The minister pointed to the current paradigm shift in Indonesia's tourism development.
The 2015-2019 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) had set a target for the number of tourist arrivals, but the 2020-2024 RPJMN focuses more on the people's income from the tourism sector.
Another RPJMN target is to boost the tourism foreign exchange, increase the number of human resources and hone their skills, and enhance the added value of the tourism sector.
"The KKP (Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry) strives to synergize environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects to support the tourism sector, especially marine tourism," Minister Prabowo stated.
Marine tourism activities, in principle, encompass the three key aspects of coastal tourism, scenic white sandy beaches and small islands, and underwater tourism.
"I believe Nias Island is one of the destinations in Indonesia that holds all these potentials," he affirmed.
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Translator: M Razi Rahman, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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