We have checked the infrastructure of the Jogja Expo Center, which is currently being renovated
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno stated that Yogyakarta has complete infrastructure to welcome the implementation of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 in the province on February 2-5, 2023.

"We have checked the infrastructure of the Jogja Expo Center, which is currently being renovated. The toilets are nice, and hopefully, all (the renovation) can be completed as scheduled," he noted, as quoted from his official statement on Monday.

Uno made the statement while reviewing the readiness of infrastructure at the Jogja Expo Center to organize the ATF Travex (Travel Exchange) and Prambanan Temple as the location for the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023.

The complete infrastructure also includes the presence of the Yogyakarta International Airport, the available rooms at various hotels, and the mainstay and super-priority tourist attraction: Borobudur Temple.

The minister expressed optimism that the successful implementation of ATF 2023 would help in achieving the foreign tourist target of 7.4 million in 2023.

According to Uno, ATF 2023 has quite a significant meaning, as it will be the opening event for the ASEAN inter-ministerial meetings during Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship themed, "ASEAN: A Journey to Wonderful Destinations."

The momentum of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023 is expected to offer new initiatives in overcoming various main challenges that become concerns in the region and the world.

"The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy becomes the first ministry/institution that will welcome Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023. Hence, we hope the central government and the regional governments in Yogyakarta, as well as tourism industry players, would be present and support the success of ATF 2023," he remarked.

Secretary of the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry Ni Wayan Giri Adnyani stated that ATF 2023 would feature several supporting programs, such as an opening ceremony at the Open Theater of Prambanan Temple, royal dinner at Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Palace), and post-tour for meeting delegates with a "Trail of Civilization" concept and a "Wellness Tourism" theme.

In addition, bilateral meetings will be held between countries and international organizations, ASEAN NTOs (National Tourism Organizations) Media Briefing, ASEAN Awarding Ceremony, ASEAN Tourism Ministers Press Conference, as well as a handover ceremony from Indonesia to Laos.

"We will also praise our stakeholders that have implemented sustainable tourism," she added.

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Translator: M Baqir, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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