"Thematic tourism will be further developed and segmented so that it can integrate tour packages with the travel patterns of tourism villages," said BPOLBF President Director Shana Fatina on Wednesday.
This year, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has targeted the number of foreign tourist arrivals to reach 7.4 million and 1.4 billion domestic tourist movements in Indonesia.
Of this figure, it is expected that at least 1.5 million tourists will visit Labuan Bajo.
To realize this goal, the BPOLBF conducts development programs towards realizing a quality, sustainable, and digital-based tourism industry by empowering tourism villages.
BPOLBF said it has continued to strengthen existing tourism villages to implement product development strategies to complement each other.
The BPOLBF also conducts various training and mentoring sessions, including sharing information on tourism village development through regular webinars.
Fatina expects that the BPOLBF's commitment can facilitate the growth and development of tourism villages in Flores, Alor, Lembata, and Bima (Floratama).
Thus, she believes that the expected large number of tourist visits can have a positive impact on the villagers' economies.
During a recent visit to Labuan Bajo, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno called for alternative travel options apart from the Komodo National Park.
He also expects tourism villages to be developed into new destinations that can lead to an increase in tourist trends, ensuring quality and sustainable tourism.
"We have to build other destinations, such as the Wae Rebo and Liang Ndara tourism villages, around Labuan Bajo," Uno said.
Earlier, Labuan Bajo was selected by the government to be the location for the 42nd ASEAN Summit.
Through the implementation of the ASEAN Summit, the government promoted Labuan Bajo as a tourism destination to the ASEAN market and also Asia.
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Translator: Fransiska N, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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