President Jokowi Tinjau For The Likupang Area. Please Return To Puli Pascapandemic Tourism

Indonesian President Joko Widodo gave a statement after visiting the Likupang area, North Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Thursday (19/1/2023). ANTARA

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is reviewing the Likupang area located in North Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi. The President hopes that all tourist destinations that were previously affected by the pandemic can recover soon and return to normal. "All countries, all tourist destinations, all tourist destinations are experiencing the same thing. However, recovery in Indonesia is much faster. Now Bali is full of tourists, although it is not like pre-pandemic, but it is already more than 60-70 percent. In other places it is the same. We hope to return to normal as soon as possible so that all our tourist destinations can recover or increase more than before the pandemic," Jokowi said in a statement after the review, Antara, Thursday, January 119. Likupang is one of the super priority destinations (DSP) set by the government besides Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Borobudur in Central Java, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara. As a DSP, the government has also prepared supporting infrastructure, such as airports to access roads. "The infrastructure in North Sulawesi has both been repaired and now is ready to accommodate a large number of terminals. Then from the airport to Likupang, it can be done by land, some of which have been repaired. I think when compared to before it was a long way away, now it's smooth," he said. In addition to land routes, the government has also prepared a sea route that can speed up travel time from the city to Likupang to only 15-20 minutes. The President believes this will also attract investors to invest in Likupang. "This can attract investment, attract investors and we hope that like Marriot, this five-star (hotel) is not only one, but later others will be four stars, three stars, or resorts, all of which are in this Likupang area," he added. The Head of State is optimistic that the Likupang area will be crowded with foreign tourists, both from Europe and from Asian countries such as China, Japan and Korea. Moreover, starting February 2023, direct flights from China will be reopened. The President believes that this tourism sector will further increase the economic growth of North Sulawesi. "Touris dari China, dari China sudah mulai Februari dibuka lagi. Ada tiga atau empat pesawat yang akan kembali mulai awal Februari dan ini kan yang dari Singapura sudah. Saya kira ini akan normal kembali. Artinya, Sulawesi Utara didukung dari sisi pertanian, didukung pariwisata, itu akan sangat bagus," jelasnya. Also accompanying the President while visiting the Likupang area were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Governor of North Sulawesi Olly Dondokambey, and North Minahasa Regent Joune Ganda.