"Penyengat Island holds immense tourism potential, proffering religious and historical tourism attractions. It is important to complement this potential by captivating tourists with engaging storytelling," Puspa noted in her office's statement on Tuesday.
Puspa visited the island on Monday (December 30), exploring several destinations, such as the Grand Mosque of the Sultan of Riau and the tomb of Engku Puteri Raja Hamidah, the consort of a sultan who ruled Riau and its surroundings from 1784 to 1806.
The deputy minister assessed that Penyengat Island is already equipped with a range of reliable infrastructure, including docks and roads, thanks to the rehabilitation program rolled out by the Riau Islands provincial government.
"The roads leading to tourism sites are of high quality. Now, it is a matter of maintaining the conditions of the infrastructure," she stated.
Puspa then highlighted the need to pursue a higher level of cleanliness by adding more public toilets and ensuring the availability of clean water, with the main objective of offering quality, sustainable tourism.
"I have also reviewed waste management at a waste recycling facility, which has been facing an issue due to the lack of electricity needed to power the existing tools and equipment," she remarked while implying that the central government might help address the issue.
She further remarked that the Ministry of Tourism is set to launch the Clean Tourism Movement in a bid to boost the cleanliness of tourism destinations by collaborating with other ministries, agencies, and members of the community.
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Translator: Hreeloita D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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