"Cultural attractions can draw tourists so that the various potentials (of culture) can drive the local economy and open up job opportunities," he explained.
He added that culture can characterize tourist destinations and attractions, which can increase tourist visits and enhance the local economy.
Uno also lauded the implementation of the Nusantara I Traditional and Cultural Festival in Klungkung district, Bali, as part of an effort to preserve culture and as a gathering of customary kingdoms and institutions in the country.
The Nusantara I Traditional and Cultural Festival, held from August 16–19, 2022, involved 211 kingdoms from across the country who are members of the Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (MATRA) and dozens of royal representatives from overseas.
The festival, which was held for the first time, aimed to strengthen the friendship of customary kingdoms and institutions, explore economic potential, and highlight concerns regarding indigenous resilience and the archipelago's culture.
Bali was chosen as the host because the island is considered to have a wealth of royal customs and culture, as well as indigenous communities that still exist well.
"Culture and tourism can enliven and prosper each other, maintaining cultural preservation," secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani, remarked while attending the event in Klungkung, Bali, on Thursday (August 18).
She said that the event offered unique values that can promote Indonesian tourism nationally and internationally.
"We invite all parties to participate in the efforts to preserve culture and promote tourism to recover the economy so that Indonesia can recover faster and rise stronger," Adnyani remarked.
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Translator: M Alatas, Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
