"We increased the target number of tourism villages registered as (ADWI) participants to three thousand villages. This year, we are optimistic of rediscovering the potential of new tourism villages," Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno remarked at the launch of ADWI 2022 here on Friday.
ADWI 2022 has seven categories of evaluation, with the first being visitor attractions comprising both natural and man-made uniqueness and authenticity as well as art and culture.
The other categories are homestay; souvenirs including culinary, craft, and fashion products; digital and creative; public toilets i.e., facilities and utilities for visitors' comfort; and CHSE category or Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environment Sustainability.
"The seventh category, which is new this year, is the tourism village institution," Uno remarked.
Registration for tourism villages for ADWI 2022 will start from February 19 to March 31, 2022, through the jadesta.kemenparekraf.go.id website.
Furthermore, Uno remarked that the idea of ADWI was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic that had put a halt to foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia and had prevented Indonesians from traveling abroad.
At the ADWI 2021, the ministry only targeted the participants' figure to reach 10 percent of the total tourism villages in Indonesia, or at around 7,275 villages. However, the number surpassed expectations since some 1,831 villages, or 25 percent of the total domestic tourism villages, had registered in the ADWI 2021.
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"We were struck by enthusiasm, as it reached almost thrice the target set at that time. The number of applicants that exceeded the target made us realize that the pandemic will never dampen our spirit to continue to move forward," Uno elaborated.
According to the minister, the ADWI has proven to have an impact on economic recovery, especially for rural communities.
"Other achievements also make us more confident to continue this fight," he affirmed.
If all of the villages' resources can be processed properly and promoted vigorously, Uno believes tourism villages can become the strong foundation of tourism revival in Indonesia.
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Translator: M Alatas, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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