"We can learn about conservation tourism from Africa. Recently, we met with the president of Zanzibar and also with Algeria. Algeria is a country with the largest relics of Roman-era buildings, more than Italy," he remarked here on Tuesday.
Uno suggested that Indonesia could learn about conservation tourism from Africa, as the region can designate historical relics as tourist attractions and concurrently maintain them.
In addition, Minister Uno said he was amazed by Zanzibar, whose 30 percent of the income comes from the tourism sector, especially in wildlife-watching tourism.
"Some 30 percent of its economy is contributed by tourism, which focuses on watching animals, so coming there is not glamping or staying in a luxury resort, (but) the main attraction is watching giraffes, elephants, and other animals," Uno remarked.
He affirmed that Indonesia will take notes on Zanzibar's experience in the tourism sector.
In the future, he said, there will be opportunities for the student exchange program, as Africa too is keen to study Indonesia's tourism system.
In addition to Zanzibar, which showed interest in opening student exchange to Indonesia, Uno stated that Algeria, Sudan, and Morocco were also intent on studying sustainable tourism and the Meeting, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) management in Indonesia.
Furthermore, Indonesia is exploring cooperation in blue economy development with Zanzibar during the 2nd IAF.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan remarked that one of the steps to support blue economy cooperation is to bolster marine-based manufacturing, which provides added value to fisheries and marine products.
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Translator: Muliantari, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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