Luhut Encourages Churches To Play A Role In Labuan Bajo Tourism Development, Here's The Response Of Sandiaga Uno And Bishop Cyprianus

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Doc. Kemenko Marves)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan encourages the role of the Church in Labuan Bajo tourism development because superior and competent human resources are the main key to developing one of the super priority tourism destinations (DPSP).

"We have to make a lot of improvements, especially in the field of human resources, and the role of the Church is very important in disciplining the community so that they can work more," he said during the virtual signing of a memorandum of understanding with the West Manggarai Regency Government and Ruteng Diocese, quoted from Antara, Monday 6 September.

In a written statement received in Jakarta, Monday, it was stated that the signing of the memorandum of understanding was aimed at developing optimal, holistic tourism in Labuan Bajo, relying on local wisdom, prospering, being fair, sustainable, and dignified.

In order to realize quality and sustainable tourism, Luhut also hopes that the Church will be able to convey messages of discipline to the people of NTT, especially in terms of cleanliness, handling COVID-19, and tourism in Labuan Bajo.

He said the signing of the memorandum of understanding was important in order to develop Labuan Bajo as one of the five DPSPs that had been set by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

"This priority means that it is important, it is important to hurry. Currently Labuan Bajo is preparing to host the G-20 Summit and ASEAN Summit 2023," he added.

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno conveyed that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the West Manggarai Regent, the Bishop of the Ruteng Church and the Sesmen Parekraf was a form of collaborative synergy and holistic study.

"Hopefully this signing can be a follow-up to strengthen the Labuan Bajo DPSP development strategy, in accordance with the 3G concept, namely fast movement (gercep), joint movement (geber), and working on all potential (gaspol) for our revival," said Minister Sandiaga.

Bishop Cyprianus Respect from Ruteng Diocese also conveyed that the main basis for the signing of the memorandum of understanding is the knot that unites the Government and the Church, to realize general welfare, happiness, and social justice for the entire community.

"Development of the Labuan Bajo DPSP must be human-centered, which includes spiritual and physical, ethical, and strengthens human dignity," said Bishop Cyprianus.

In the future, it is hoped that the Diocese of Ruteng can become a partner of the government in the development program being implemented in Labuan Bajo, especially in terms of program socialization to the community and cooperation in improving the quality of local human resources.