"I ask the governors, mayors, and district heads to inform (me) about hidden gems, tourism attractions that we do not know. Inform me and I will promote it. If we promote it, God Willing, more tourists will come," Uno stated at the 2023 Kharisma Event Nusantara (KEN) Festival launching in Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) here, Saturday (January 28).
The KEN Festival in 2022 had driven three million domestic tourist movements and developed 11 thousand micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), 55 thousand event/art actors, 250 associations and communities, as well as created jobs for 11 thousand workers.
The 2023 KEN, involving 110 top events curated from 38 Indonesian provinces, is expected to attract the visit of domestic and foreign tourists which will benefit the national economy.
Among the events that participated in this year's KEN are Aceh Culinary Festival, Bogor Street Festival, Jember Fashion Carnaval, Samosir Music International, and Tomohon International Flower Festival.
Besides the 2023 KEN, the ministry also launched Sportive, a special classification for sports, music, and creative festivals, which includes 65 events this year.
"(Through) the Sportive and 2023 KEN we launched today, and through innovation, adaptation, and collaboration, let us be proud to travel in Indonesia," Uno said.
On the same occasion, the minister encouraged tourism associations to organise quality events at the start of 2023 to expedite the national economic recovery and growth.
"I see that all events from Sabang to Merauke can drive the regional economy through cultural, sports, and festival events. I also see that the key to economic awakening is to organise quality events," he remarked.
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Translator: M Baqir Idrus A, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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