I believe that the villages will become Indonesia’s development agents.Denpasar (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno has called for collaboration among all parties, including travel agencies, to support the development and promote the potential of Indonesian tourism villages.
He made the statement while attending the ‘Mission to Promote the National Tourism Destinations’ event here on Friday.
"The event has been packaged well by conducting blended activities through a series of familiarization trips (famtrips) as well as promotions,” he said.
The event was held for the first time in Yogyakarta last month, and it proved effective in selling tourism packages directly to tourists.
The event promoted 10 tourism villages that featured in the top 50 list of the 2021 Tourism Village Awards among 50 travel agencies.
The villages comprised eight tourism villages from Bali province, including Jatiluwih, Tenganan Pegringsingan, Ekasari, Pemuteran, Penglipuran, Cau Belayu, Mekarsari, and Aan, as well as two tourism villages from East Java province, namely Taman Sari and Pujon Kidul.
The implementation of the event is strategic since the mid-year holiday season is approaching, the minister said. Furthermore, Bali province will host the G20 Summit in November 2022.
"We expect that the tourism villages can become the main choice for conducting side events or field trips of various international events, which will be held in Bali," Uno said.
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Under the 2020–2024 Medium-Term National Development Plan (RPJMN), the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry is targeting to get 244 tourism villages certified as independent tourism villages by 2024.
At least 150 of the tourism villages are located in the five Super Priority Destinations (DSP), which include Borobudur Temple (Central Java province), Lake Toba (North Sumatra province), Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara province), Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara province), and Manado-Likupang (North Sulawesi province).
"Hence, a pentahelix collaboration between the related ministries/institutions, local governments, communities, business actors, associations, and the media is required. I believe that the villages will become Indonesia’s development agents," Uno remarked.
Acting deputy for marketing at the ministry, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, said that the collaboration for developing tourism destinations is needed to realize the theme of the G20 Presidency, which is "Recover Together, Recover Stronger" as well as the ministry’s goal of "Recover Better.”
"Through the implementation of the event, we expect that tourism village managers can gain experience in conducting promotions and building cooperation with travel agents in marketing the tourism destinations,” she added.
Meanwhile, travel agents can learn about new options for tourist attractions in East Java and Bali region to be offered to potential tourists, she said.
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Translator: Naufal Yusuf, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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