Minister Sandiaga Invites All ASEAN Countries For Economic Awakening Collaboration

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno invites ASEAN countries to strengthen collaboration in realizing the region as the center of global economic growth through tourism.

"ATF as the largest tourism forum in Southeast Asia should be able to become a discussion room to reformulate the tourism sector so that it is more adaptive to the current and future situation," Sandiaga said in a press release received in Yogyakarta, Saturday, February 4.

"According to him, ASEAN countries must be able to build tourism destinations based on three main foundations, namely resilience, security, and sustainability," he said at the opening of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 at the Prambanan Temple Center, Friday, February 3 evening.

"This is in line with this year's theme of 'A Journey toten Destinations', which ignites the spirit of tourism recovery," Sandiaga said as quoted by Antara.

He said, in order to achieve this goal, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy conveyed three things that could be initiated together.

The first is Gercep (fast movement) where the government and all stakeholders must be able to provide relevant mentoring programs to help encourage the revival of the tourism sector and the creative economy throughout the region. Especially now in the post-pandemic era.

"Such as competency certification and capacity building that can be the main program. As we have done in (developing) five super priority destinations and 10 priority destinations," he said.

Next is Geber (Joint Movement), Menparekraf Sandiaga believes collaborative actions among stakeholders are very important in encouraging the tourism recovery process.

"One example is through planning and implementing quality national and international scale activities. This requires the involvement of various sectors including the government, the private sector, and other parties," he said.

And the last one is Gaspol (Garap All Potential Fields). In achieving this, Menparekraf Sandiaga said that 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 aspect of our tourism and provide more options for tourists visiting our area," he said.

Sandiaga invites ASEAN countries to continue useful regional cooperation and explore better cooperation in the future.

"That is in the restoration and rebuilding of tourism, utilization of digital transformation, and ensuring the issue of sustainability," he said.