In order to establish or make a tourist attraction famous, a community-based tourism approach can be utilized, he said.
"It is the community who will manage and develop tourism aspects, which will create economic opportunities, thus (opening up) job vacancies," he added.
He deemed tourism institutions as a necessity for developing tourism and making the sector sustainable.
Tourism institutions involve constant integration with government, organizations, tourism players, regulations, and technical implementation.
"We and the jury also looked (and considered) several categories, one of which was institutional (aspect), because we didn't want (the winner) to be selected as (one) the top 50 (tourism villages), yet (all of them) are not sustainable. We expect that this village can bring prosperity to the people and improve the community's economy," he said.
The ministry has also worked with Astra as a strategic partner for building tourist villages that would have a significant impact on post-pandemic economic recovery.
According to West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansyarullah, hospitality and cleanliness are important factors for attracting more tourists to destinations.
Collaboration must also be maintained as tourism development is one effective way to improve the economy.
"God willing, in 2023, there will be several events that are prepared on international, national, and regional scales, and are expected to generate more visits to West Sumatra and Tanah Datar," he said.
Head of Tanah Datar district, Richi Aprian, congratulated Nagari Tuo Pariangan on its inclusion in the list of the top 50 tourism villages in 2022.
"Thank God, Tanah Datar was blessed by the opportunity of being visited by the minister, as well as (being promoted as one of) 50 tourism villages. With togetherness, there is nothing that can't be done. Hopefully, what has been achieved will also be beneficial for the minister and the people of Tanah Datar in particular," he added.
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Translator: Laila Syafarud, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
