YOGYAKARTA – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf/Kabaparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno invites ASEAN countries to strengthen collaboration in order to make the region a center of global economic growth through tourism.
Menparekraf Sandiaga at the opening ceremony of the 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) which took place at the Prambanan Temple Court, Yogyakarta, Thursday (3/2/2023), said that ATF as the largest tourism forum in the Southeast Asian region must be able to become a discussion space to reformulate the tourism sector. tourism to be more adaptive to the current and future situation.
ASEAN countries must be able to build tourism destinations based on three main foundations, namely resilience, security and sustainability.
“This is in line with the theme of this year’s ATF, namely ‘A Journey to Wonderful Destinations’, which inflames the spirit of tourism recovery,” said Menparekraf Sandiaga.
In order to achieve this goal, Menparekraf conveyed three things that could be jointly initiated. The first is Gercep (moving fast) in which the government together with all stakeholders must be able to provide relevant assistance programs to help encourage the revival of the tourism sector and the creative economy throughout the region. Especially now in post-pandemic times.
“Such as competency certification and capacity building which can be the main program. As we have done in (the development of) 5 super priority destinations and 10 priority destinations,” said Sandiaga.
Next is Geber (Joint Movement). Menparekraf Sandiaga believes that collaborative action among stakeholders is very important in driving the tourism recovery process.
“One example is through the planning and implementation of quality national and international scale events. This requires the involvement of various sectors including the government, private sector and other parties,” said Sandiaga.
And the last one is Gaspol (Working on All Potential Employment). In achieving this, Menparekraf Sandiaga said, his party presents diversification of tourism products through the development of ecotourism, Muslim-friendly tourism, health tourism, and also domestic tourism packages.
“We are optimistic that this diversification will not only open up job opportunities but also increase the added value aspects of our tourism and provide more choices for tourists visiting our region,” said Sandiaga.
Sandiaga invited ASEAN countries to continue fruitful regional cooperation and explore better cooperation in the future. “That is in the recovery and rebuilding of tourism, utilizing digital transformation, and ensuring sustainability issues,” said Sandiaga.
Vice President KH. Ma’ruf Amin previously said at the opening of ATF 2023 that tourism was a crucial sector for recovering the economy, creating jobs for the community, and making the community strong and empowered. He hopes that this forum can become a means to produce concrete steps in advancing the tourism sector.
“I really hope that the 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum can give birth to real action. It is marked by cooperation between leaders of the tourism sector in the ASEAN region, to accelerate the revival of the tourism and travel industry in ASEAN, and realize the 2023 Travel Exchange,” said the Vice President.
The Vice President also requested that the holding of international scale events in ASEAN countries need to be continued because the success of holding international events is one proof of the readiness of ASEAN countries to become a magnet for world tourists again, and shows that ASEAN is able to continue to adapt and compete, towards more tourism. quality in the future.
“We have high hopes that the tourism sector will strengthen the ASEAN region as a region that is stable, peaceful, dignified, upholds human values, and is able to become a supporter of world economic stability,” said the Vice President.
ATF 2023 will last until 5 February 2023 and will be filled with various series of activities. Starting from the meeting of state delegations at both the Ministerial and NTO (National Tourism Organization) levels, and also the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) which is a business forum for tourism businesses between ASEAN countries.
There will also be additional activities such as the Minister’s Breakfast Meeting handled by US-ABC, Minister Business Luncheon held by CNN, Lao Night as the next leadership delegation event to Laos, post-meeting tour for VIP delegates, ASEAN Awarding Ceremony, to Global Modest Fashion Week.
Participants in the delegation meeting at the ATF were not only attended by ASEAN countries. But also several partner countries such as ASEAN Plus Three (Japan, Korea, China), India, Russia, and several other international organizations such as UNWTO, PATA, WTTC, ASEANTA, and US-ABC.
Also present at the opening of the 2023 ATF, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Angela Tanoesoedibjo; Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN, Satvinder Singh; Deputy Governor of DIY, KGPAA Paku Alam X; as well as echelon I and II officials within the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Baparekraf.***igo
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