Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno expressed optimism that the Tebara Tourism Village in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara Province, would become Indonesia's world-class tourist destination.

"This village is based on preserved local culture, traditions, and language. I believe that this (village) will emerge as Indonesia's world-class tourist destination. Villages can bring progress to Indonesia," he noted in an official statement received here on Sunday (August 13).

Tebara Tourism Village, located in Wakabukak, West Sumba District, is among 75 tourism villages visited by Minister Uno and his ranks under the scope of the 2023 Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) activities.

According to the minister, the village offers megalithic remains, such as sarcophagi, traditional houses with tower-styled roofs situated on high hills, as well as traditional dishes, with authentic and unique taste, as its tourist appeal.

Regarding its local food, Uno highlighted ro'o luwa and rumpu rampe. The former is a type of greenish, sweet-flavored porridge mainly made from sweet potatoes and cassava leaves, while the latter is a stir-fried savory dish made from papaya flowers, cassava leaves, banana flowers, and long beans.

"The village has a very delicious dish called rumpu rampe, which is made from banana flowers, papaya flowers, and long beans, and not to mention a porridge with a unique taste called ro'o luwa," he pointed out.

The minister is upbeat that the tourism village would be able to make contributions to the government's efforts to achieve its target of creating 4.4 million new quality job opportunities by 2024.

"We have visited 75 villages across Indonesia as our ultimate program for tourism villages. We captured the enthusiasm expressed by communities eager to welcome our economic revival. Hopefully, this village will boost tourist visits and (help) create 4.4 million new quality job opportunities," he remarked.

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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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