"Respect local values. The community here is religious. Respect its religious values, respect its local traditions," President Yudhoyono said at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Mandalika resort in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), Friday.
The head of state said when the region`s tourism had developed, the local people`s incomes would hopefully increase and their traditional values remain intact.
Tourism development must also involve the local people "lest the region develops but the people don`t get anything," he said.
Yudhoyono also suggested the establishment of a tourism and creative industry school to help prepare local residents to participate in the economic growth.
He also strssed that in developing tourism, the environment must be preserved.
"So this region must remain `Berseri` - clean, healthy, neat, friendly and beautiful," he said.
The Mandalika tourist resort is to be developed on an area measuring 1,175 hectares and will consist of amusement parks, a meeting hall, aquatic and nature tourism facilities, hotels, a golf course, and FI1 circuit.
The new resort is expected to attract at least one million people annually over the next 5 -10 years.
After dedicating the Mandalika tourist resort project, President Yudhoyono and his entourage left NTB for Bali.
The president will be in Bali for a four-day working visit for the 7th National Meeting of the All-Indonesia District Governments Association (APKASI).
The presidential entourage included First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, NTB Governor Zainul Madji, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, State-owned Enterprises Minister (BUMN) Dahlan Iskan, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari E Pangestu, and Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng.
(Uu. F001/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
