Kupang (ANTARA) - East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat requested all related bureaucratic members in his administration to accord priority to creative thinking in developing the tourism sector.

"Tourism is one of the leading sectors in NTT, so it must be developed properly. Governmental bureaucracies in regions, with high tourism potential, must think creatively, so that the tourism sector can develop," Laiskodat emphasized on Friday.

According to the governor, the mandate was related to the government's efforts in developing the tourism sector in NTT amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor is keen that services in the bureaucratic sector of the NTT regional government should prioritize the tourism outlook.

"Government services must give priority to the tourism mindset. How are we going to develop tourism if rubbish is easily found on the street? Bureaucratic services must prioritize tourism. This is homework for the local government," he stressed.

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Tourism must become a major economic sector for NTT's residents by maintaining and managing the existing tourism potential, Laiskodat affirmed.

Furthermore, the governor believes that if the tourism potential was leveraged rapidly, it would have positive effects on the community by boosting the welfare of members.

Laiskodat explained that a smart tourism mindset will help to foster creative thinking in developing and providing tourism services to tourists, with all efforts specifically targeted to satisfy tourists and expedite the province's economic recovery.

The governor is optimistic that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy would train local government bureaucrats in NTT to gain a broader understanding and contribute to developing tourism better.

If NTT’s bureaucracy were to have a sound perspective of tourism development, then it would help in formulating government programs for developing the tourism sector.

"This includes community assistance to manage tourism as an effort to offer benefits to improve the welfare of the community," Laiskodat noted in his closing statement.
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Translator: Benediktus J, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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